CERPLEX GROUP INC
10-Q, 1996-11-13
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC.
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<PAGE>   1
                                    FORM 10-Q
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

[X]        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 29, 1996

                                       OR

[ ]        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                         to

Commission file number           0-23602

                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          Delaware                                                33-0411354

(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)


                       1382 Bell Avenue, Tustin, CA 92680
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)


                                 (714) 258-5600
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                    Yes  X  No
                                        ---    ---

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock on November 8,
1996 was 13,451,944.


<PAGE>   2
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----

PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        Consolidated Balance Sheets.......................................  4
        Consolidated Statements of Operations.............................  5
        Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency).......  6
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.............................  7
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................  8
        Management's Discussion and Analysis.............................. 11

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

        Legal Proceedings................................................. 18
        Changes in Securities............................................. 18
        Defaults Upon Senior Securities................................... 18
        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............... 18
        Other Information................................................. 19
        Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.................................. 24

SIGNATURE................................................................. 36

EXHIBIT INDEX............................................................. 37


                                       2


<PAGE>   3
                                     PART I


                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION




                                        3


<PAGE>   4
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       September 29,    December 31,
                                                                            1996            1995
                                                                            ----            ----
<S>                                                                     <C>              <C>      

                                     ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                          $  26,521        $   3,807
     Accounts receivable, net                                              23,301           30,102
     Inventories                                                           22,674           27,789
     Net assets of discontinued operations                                    412            2,597
     Prepaid expenses and other                                             7,116            2,267
                                                                        ---------        ---------
          Total current assets                                             80,024           66,562

Property, plant and equipment, net                                         28,390           17,988
Investment in joint venture                                                                  7,723
Goodwill                                                                    5,682            6,647
Other long-term assets                                                      3,804            2,973
                                                                        ---------        ---------
          Total assets                                                  $ 117,900        $ 101,893
                                                                        =========        =========

                 LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)

Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable                                                   $  24,410        $  17,024
     Accrued liabilities                                                   24,990           13,622
     Short-term borrowings                                                 45,188
     Current portion of long-term debt                                        241              536
     Income taxes payable                                                   1,296            2,161
                                                                        ---------        ---------
          Total current liabilities                                        96,125           33,343
                                                                        ---------        ---------

Long-term debt, less current portion                                       18,033           68,382
Other long-term liabilities                                                 6,214

Stockholders' Equity:
        Preferred Stock, par value $.001; 3,066,340 shares
        authorized; 8,000 shares designated Series B Preferred
        Stock, all of which are issued and outstanding,
        aggregate liquidation preference of $16,000                         7,859
     Common Stock, par value $.001;
        30,000,000 shares authorized; 13,440,011
        and 13,127,680 issued and outstanding in
        1996 and 1995, respectively                                            13               13
     Additional paid-in capital                                            50,645           47,528
     Notes receivable from stockholders                                      (139)            (226)
     Unearned compensation                                                    (90)            (143)
     Accumulated deficit                                                  (60,837)         (47,026)
     Cumulative translation adjustment                                         77               22
                                                                        ---------        ---------
          Total stockholders' equity (deficiency)                          (2,472)             168
                                                                        ---------        ---------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficiency)       $ 117,900        $ 101,893
                                                                        =========        =========
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                        4


<PAGE>   5
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three months ended                      Nine months ended
                                                         ----------------------------      --------------------------
                                                         September 29,     October 1,      September 29,   October 1,
                                                         -------------     ----------      -------------   ----------
                                                             1996             1995            1996            1995
                                                             ----             ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>      
Net sales                                                  $ 50,636        $ 35,381        $ 142,821        $ 101,870

Cost of sales                                                46,885          32,450          121,170           86,888
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

     Gross profit                                             3,751           2,931           21,651           14,982

Selling, general & administrative expenses                   12,233          13,191           27,872           22,502

Restructuring charges                                         2,084                            2,084
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

     Operating income (loss)                                (10,566)        (10,260)          (8,305)          (7,520)

Equity in earnings from joint venture                                           347              357            1,506

Gain on sale of InCirT Division                                                                  450

Interest expense, net                                         1,811           1,295            4,980            3,740
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

Income (loss) from continuing operations before
  taxes                                                     (12,377)        (11,208)         (12,478)          (9,754)

Income taxes (benefit)                                          563          (1,775)           1,333           (1,281)
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

Income (loss) from continuing operations                    (12,940)         (9,433)         (13,811)          (8,473)
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

Discontinued operations, net of income taxes:

     Income (loss) from operations                                           (2,118)                           (1,966)
     Estimated loss from liquidation of discontinued
       operations                                                           (13,446)                          (13,446)
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

     Income (loss) from discontinued operations                             (15,564)                          (15,412)
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

Net income (loss)                                          $(12,940)       $(24,997)       $ (13,811)       $ (23,885)
                                                           ========        ========        =========        =========

Income (loss) per share:

     Continuing operations                                 $  (0.96)       $  (0.72)       $   (1.04)       $   (0.65)
     Discontinued operations                                                  (1.19)                            (1.18)
                                                           --------        --------        ---------        ---------

Net income (loss) per share                                $  (0.96)       $  (1.91)       $   (1.04)       $   (1.83)
                                                           ========        ========        =========        =========

Weighted average common and common equivalent
  shares outstanding                                         13,422          13,108           13,332           13,081
                                                           ========        ========        =========        =========
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                        5


<PAGE>   6
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
                        (in thousands, except share data)
                                   (Unaudited)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       Total
                                  Preferred Stock        Common Stock      Additional                               Stockholders'  
                                  ---------------        ------------       Paid-In                   Accumulated      Equity
                                  Shares   Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital         Other       Deficit     (deficiency)
                                  ------   ------     ------     ------     -------         -----       -------     ------------

<S>                               <C>      <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>             <C>         <C>            <C>   
Balance at December 31, 1995                        13,127,680    $13       $47,528        $ (347)     $(47,026)      $  168

Stock options and warrants
  exercised                                            151,930                   18                                       18

Notes receivable from
  stockholders                                                                                 (3)                        (3)

Net loss                                                                                                 (1,573)      (1,573)

Amortization of unearned
  compensation                                                                                 18                         18

Translation adjustment                                                                       (129)                      (129)
                                  -----    ------   ----------    ---       -------        ------      --------      -------

Balance at March 31, 1996                           13,279,610     13        47,546          (461)      (48,599)      (1,501)

Issuance of Series B Convertible
  Preferred Stock                 8,000    $7,911                                                                      7,911

Issuance of warrants                                                          3,037                                    3,037

Stock options and warrants
  exercised                                            122,857                   28                                       28

Net income                                                                                                  702          702

Amortization of unearned
  compensation                                                                                 17                         17

Translation adjustment                                                                        128                        128
                                  -----    ------   ----------   ---        -------        ------      --------      -------

Balance at June 30, 1996          8,000     7,911   13,402,467    13         50,611          (316)      (47,897)      10,322

S-3 Registration Costs of Series
  B Convertible Preferred Stock               (52)                                                                       (52)

Stock options and warrants
  exercised                                             37,544                   34                                       34

Net loss                                                                                                (12,940)     (12,940)

Notes receivable from
  stockholders                                                                                 90                         90

Amortization of unearned
  compensation                                                                                 18                         18

Translation adjustment                                                                         56                         56
                                  -----     ------  ----------   ---       --------        ------      --------      -------

Balance at September 29, 1996     8,000     $7,859  13,440,011   $13       $ 50,645        $ (152)     $(60,837)     $(2,472)
                                  =====     ======  ==========   ===       ========        ======      ========      =======
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                        6


<PAGE>   7
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (dollars in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Nine Months Ended
                                                                           -----------------
                                                                September 29, 1996   October 1, 1995
                                                                ------------------   ---------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:                       
     Net income (loss)                                                $(13,811)          $(23,885)
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided                      
        by (used in) operating activities:                                         
           Depreciation and amortization                                 6,319              6,861
           Amortization of unearned compensation                            53                 53
           Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss                         35               (100)
           Non-cash charges related to End-of-Life Programs                                14,639     
           Equity in earnings of joint venture                            (356)            (1,506)
           Distribution of earnings of joint venture                     3,090     
           Gain on sale of InCirT Division                                (450)    
           Decrease (increase) in:                                                 
              Accounts receivable                                        9,142                 30
              Inventories                                                5,108             (7,558)
              Prepaid expenses and other                                 4,166             (1,703)

              Investment in other long-term assets                      (1,391)             1,905
              Net assets of discontinued operations                      2,185              1,317
           (Decrease) increase in:                                                 
              Accounts and notes payable                                 3,639              3,910
              Accrued liabilities                                       (8,611)               614
              Income taxes payable                                        (885)              (449)
                                                                      --------           --------
           Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities           8,233             (5,872)
                                                                      --------           --------
Cash flows from investing activities:                                              
     Purchase of plant and equipment                                    (1,181)            (4,036)
     Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired*                    5,147             (4,500)
     Proceeds from sale of InCirT Division                               5,500     
                                                                      --------           --------
        Net cash used in investing activities                            9,466             (8,536)
                                                                      --------           --------
Cash flows from financing activities:                                              
     Proceeds from long-term debt, net                                                      8,014     
     Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock                           7,859     
     Proceeds from issuance of stock, net                                   80                 25
     Decrease in notes receivable from stockholders                         87                 76
     Principal payments of long-term debt                                 (410)            (1,687)
     Principal payments of short term borrowings                        (2,343)    
                                                                      --------           --------
        Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities              5,273              6,428
                                                                      --------           --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                   (258)                17
                                                                      --------           --------
     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents               22,714             (7,963)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                         3,807              9,442
                                                                      --------           --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                            $ 26,521           $  1,479
                                                                      ========           ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 
     Cash paid during the year for:                    
        Interest                                                      $  5,266           $  3,646
                                                                      ========           ========
        Income taxes                                                  $  1,753           $  1,122
                                                                      ========           ========
     *Acquisition of Businesses                                                    
        Amount paid                                                   $ (8,977)          $ (4,500)

</TABLE>
                                                                      

           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                                                                    
                                                                          
                                        7



<PAGE>   8
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                and subsidiaries


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>
        Cash Acquired                                                 $ 14,124     
                                                                      --------           --------
                                                                      $  5,147           $ (4,500)
                                                                      ========           ========
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


                                       8


<PAGE>   9
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                and subsidiaries

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The accompanying financial information has been prepared in accordance with
the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore does not necessarily include all
information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial
position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. The Company's fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week
period ending on the Sunday closest to December 31.

     In the opinion of management, the financial information for the three and
nine-month periods ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995, and at
September 29, 1996 reflects all adjustments (which include only normal,
recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation thereof.

     During 1995, the Company discontinued its end-of-life programs, a segment
of the business, through a liquidation of remaining operations. Prior period
financial results have been restated to reflect the discontinuance of this
segment of the Company.

NOTE 2 - INCOME PER SHARE

     Net income (loss) per share has been computed using the weighted average
number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during
each period presented. Common equivalent shares consist of convertible preferred
stock, stock options and warrants, which were computed using the treasury stock
method. Common stock equivalent shares are not included in the computation of
net income (loss) per share for the three and nine-month periods ended September
29, 1996 and October 1, 1995, respectively, because their effect would be
anti-dilutive.

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES

     Inventories consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              September 29,    December 31,
                                  1996             1995
                              -------------    ------------
                                     (in thousands)
<S>                             <C>               <C>    
Spare and repair parts          $15,812           $18,001
Work-in-process                   3,233             6,402
Finished goods                    3,629             3,386
                                -------        ----------
                                $22,674           $27,789
                                =======        ==========
</TABLE>


                                        9


<PAGE>   10
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                and subsidiaries

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANTS

     In June 1996, the Company issued 8,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock
("Series B Stock") at $1,000 per share in a private placement. The Series B
Stock is convertible into Common Stock at the option of each holder at the lower
of $5.07 per share or 80% of the average closing bid price over a ten-day period
ending three days prior to the date of conversion. The Series B Stock will
automatically convert into Common Stock on the earlier of five-years from the
date of issuance or such date as the Company's Common Stock has traded above
$19.13 per share for a specified period of time. The Series B Stock has certain
rights, privileges and preferences, including a $2,000 per share preference in
the event of a sale of the Company. The Board of Directors may not pay dividends
to the holders of the Company's Common Stock unless and until the Board has paid
an equivalent dividend to the holders of Series B Stock based upon the number of
shares of Common Stock into which each share of Series B Stock is convertible.

     In April 1996, the Company issued 1,000,000 detachable warrants in
connection with amendments to the Note Purchase Agreements related to its Senior
Subordinated Notes and issued 125,000 detachable warrants in connection with an
amendment to the Credit Agreement. The warrants provide the holders the right to
purchase 1,125,000 shares of Common Stock at $6 per share. As a result of the
issuance of the warrants, the Company discounted the book value of the debt
outstanding and increased paid-in capital by the fair market value of the
warrants ($3.0 million). The discount is being amortized as additional interest
expense over the period of the related debt on the interest method. In October
1996, the Company, in connection with the receipt of waivers of certain breaches
of the Note Purchase Agreements and Credit Agreement, decreased the exercise
price of the warrants from $6.00 to $2.50 per share.

NOTE 5 - ACQUISITIONS

     In May 1996, the Company acquired Rank Xerox Limited's subsidiary, Cerplex
SAS, for $6.1 million, including estimated taxes, registration fees, legal,
accounting and other out-of-pocket expenses of $1.2 million. Cerplex SAS is the
legal successor to Rank Xerox et Compagnie ("Rank Xerox SNC"), which was
transformed immediately prior to the acquisition from societe en nom collectif
(a type of partnership) into a societe par actions simplifee (a form of limited
liability company), at which time its name was changed to Cerplex SAS. Cerplex
SAS performs repair and refurbishment services primarily for large copiers in
the northern region of France, near Lille. Based on the allocation of the
purchase price to the fair value of the assets and liabilities (including long
term liabilities for taxes and employment related matters) related to the
acquisition, the Company reduced other long-term assets by the amount of
negative goodwill ($1.5 million) in accordance with APB #16, Business
Combinations. As part of the acquisition, RXL provided sufficient cash to fund
certain liabilities of Cerplex SAS. Under the terms of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to certain financial covenants over a
four-year period that limit the amount of dividends and payments in the nature
of corporate charges paid by Cerplex SAS; the maintenance of Cerplex SAS'
current ratio greater than one; and restrictions on guarantees with respect to
Cerplex and its subsidiaries (excluding Cerplex SAS). Accordingly, the cash of
Cerplex SAS ($19.9 million at September 29, 1996) is generally not available to
Cerplex for financing operations outside of Cerplex SAS. In addition, Cerplex
SAS entered into a four-year Supply and Services Agreement with RXL to provide
repair and refurbishment services with guaranteed levels of production hours (at
standard rates) that decline over the period of the contract. Revenues and
income before taxes of Cerplex SAS since the date of the acquisition were $18.3
million and $2.7 million, respectively.


                                       10


<PAGE>   11
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                and subsidiaries

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


     In April 1996, the Company acquired the remaining 51% interest in
Modcomp/Cerplex L.P. ("Modcomp/Cerplex") for $2.8 million. Modcomp/Cerplex is a
supplier of real-time computer systems, products and services for the process
control industry. As a result of the acquisition of the remaining interest in
Modcomp/Cerplex, the Company consolidated the results of operations and
financial position of this entity effective April 1, 1996. Prior to April 1,
1996, the Company recorded its 49% interest in Modcomp/Cerplex on the equity
method of accounting. The fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired
exceeded the purchase price by approximately $2.0 million, resulting in negative
goodwill. In accordance with APB #16, Business Combinations, the Company reduced
other long-term assets to zero and recorded the remaining amount as negative
goodwill ($500,000) which is being amortized into income over a five year
period. Revenues and income before taxes of Modcomp/Cerplex since the date of
the acquisition were $19.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

     Assuming the above acquisitions occurred at the beginning of 1996, the pro
forma results of operations of the Company for the nine months ended September
29, 1996 would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Pro Forma
                                                              ---------
                                                            (in thousands)
<S>                                                            <C>     
         Net Sales                                             $177,289
         Income from continuing operations                      (12,617)
         Net income per share from continuing operations          (0.95)
</TABLE>

NOTE 6 - SALE OF INCIRT DIVISION

         Effective April 1, 1996, the Company sold its contract manufacturing
division in Tustin, California ("InCirT Division") to Pen Interconnect for $3.5
million in cash and approximately $2.0 million in restricted common stock. The
gain on the sale of the InCirT Division was $450,000.

NOTE 7 - RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

         During the three-month period ended September 29, 1996, the Company
closed its contract manufacturing operations in Texas and its computer training
operations in Redmond, Washington. In connection with the closure of these
operations, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $2.1 million. The
restructuring charges related to write-downs of inventories, property and
equipment and other assets to net realizable value, provision for losses on
collection of accounts receivable, accruals for lease commitments and severance
pay, and costs to complete closure of the facilities.


                                       11


<PAGE>   12
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
                  Results of Operations

         This report contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under "Item 5.
Other Information (a) Risk Factors."

OVERVIEW

         The Company is an independent provider of electronic parts repair and
logistics services worldwide. During the third quarter of 1995, the Board of
Directors approved a Liquidation Plan to discontinue its end-of-life programs, a
segment of the Company, through liquidation of these operations. Net sales of
end-of life programs contributed 26% and 71% of consolidated net sales during
1994 and 1993, respectively. In its end-of-life programs, the Company assumed
all responsibilities for the support and repair of products which are no longer
manufactured or are being phased out of manufacturing. Generally, when the
Company undertook an end-of-life program, it acquired substantially all of the
unique test equipment, repair equipment and inventories needed to support the
program. Services provided by the Company under end-of-life programs include
repair, provision of spare parts for a defined period of time, plant return and
parts reclamation, engineering and document control, warehousing, and vendor
certification and management. The Company no longer undertakes these programs.
The Company's continuing operations are focused on depot repair, logistics
services, technical help desk, remanufacturing and remarketing, and spare parts
services.

    The liquidation of end-of-life programs has been accounted for as
discontinued operations and prior period financial statements have been restated
to reflect the discontinuance of this segment of the business.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Continuing Operations

     The following table sets forth items from the Company's Consolidated
Statement of Operations as a percentage of net sales.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                       September 29,      October 1,    September 29,      October 1,
                                           1996             1995            1996             1995
                                           ----             ----            ----             ----
<S>                                        <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>   
Net sales                                  100.0%          100.0%           100.0%         100.0%
Costs of sales                              92.6            91.7             84.8           85.3
Gross margin                                 7.4             8.3             15.2           14.7
Selling, general and administrative         24.2            37.3             19.5           22.1
Restructuring charges                        4.1                              1.5
Operating income (loss)                    (20.9)          (29.0)            (5.8)          (7.4)
</TABLE>


                                       12


<PAGE>   13
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

     Net sales for the three and nine-month periods ended September 29, 1996
increased $15.3 million and $40.9 million, respectively, to $50.6 million and
$142.8 million, respectively, over the net sales for the corresponding periods
of 1995. The increase in net sales of 43.1% and 40.2% in the three and
nine-month periods of 1996 compared to the corresponding periods of the prior
year is primarily attributable to the acquisition of the remaining 51% interest
in Modcomp/Cerplex in April 1996, the acquisition of Cerplex SAS in May 1996,
and the acquisition of Peripheral Computer Support, Inc. ("PCS") in May 1995.
The increase in sales from such acquisitions was partially offset by the sale of
the InCirT Division, effective April 1, 1996, decreased sales of repair services
to British Telecommunications plc ("BT") and decreased sales in the Company's
North American operations.

     Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine-month
periods ended September 29, 1996 was 7.4% and 15.2%, respectively, compared to
8.3% and 14.7% during the corresponding periods of the prior year. The gross
profit ratios during the three and nine-month periods ended September 29, 1996
were adversely affected by a variety of factors primarily relating to the
Company's North American operations including, without limitation, changes in
the Company's business and the business of third parties, and the impact of
unprofitable contracts and operations such as the Company's Texas operations and
Redmond, Washington computer training operations which were closed during the
third quarter. The effect of these factors included, without limitation,
approximately $2.5 million in inventory writedowns, $.8 million in operating
losses related to the Texas operations, $.7 million in operating losses related
to sales of telephones purchased from Lucent and $.4 in operating losses from
the Company's computer training operations. The Company's gross profit ratios
during the three and nine month periods ended October 1, 1995 were also
adversely impacted by inventory writedowns and the impact of unprofitable
operations. See further discussion below regarding North American operations.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales
for the three and nine-month periods ended September 29, 1996 were 24.2% and
19.5%, respectively, compared to 37.3% and 22.1% during the corresponding
periods of the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses during
the three-month periods ended September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995,
respectively, included provisions for estimated losses on collection of accounts
receivable and other assets of $2.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, and,
during the three-month period ended October 1, 1995, a $3.0 million provision
for loss on an investment in a stock purchase warrant of Novadyne Computer
Systems, Inc. Excluding these items, selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine-month periods ended
September 29, 1996 were 20.2% and 18.1%, respectively, compared to 19.8% and
16.0% during the corresponding periods of the prior year. The increase in
selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales is
primarily due to increased corporate overhead related to the Company's expanded
corporate staff and increased selling, general and administrative expenses
related to PCS and Modcomp/Cerplex.

     During the three-month period ended September 29, 1996, the Company closed
its contract manufacturing operations in Texas and its computer training
operations in Redmond, Washington. In connection with the closure of these
operations, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $2.1 million. The
restructuring charges related to write-downs of inventories, property and
equipment and other assets to net realizable value, provision for losses on
collection of accounts receivable, accruals for lease commitments and severance
pay, and costs to complete closure of the facilities.


                                       13


<PAGE>   14
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES


Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Three Months Ended                Nine Months Ended
                                         September 29,    October 1,    September 29,     October 1,
                                            1996             1995           1996            1995
                                            ----             ----           ----            ----
                           (in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>     
Operating income (loss)                   $(10,566)       $(10,260)       $ (8,305)       $(7,520)
Equity in earnings of joint venture                            347             357          1,506
Gain on sale of InCirT Division                                                450
Interest expense, net                       (1,811)         (1,295)         (4,980)        (3,740)
                                          --------        --------        --------        -------
Income (loss) from continuing             $(12,377)       $(11,208)       $(12,478)       $(9,754)
      operations                          ========        ========        ========        =======
</TABLE>
      


     The operating losses during the three and nine month periods ending
September 29, 1996 resulted primarily from a variety of factors affecting North
American operations including, without limitation, declining sales and
unprofitable contracts, changes in the Company's business and the business of
the Company's customers, and the closure of unprofitable operations. To a lesser
extent, the operating losses for the three-month period ending September 29,
1996 resulted from the effect declining sales to BT had on the Company's
operations in the United Kingdom. Commencing during the third quarter of 1995,
the Company discontinued its end-of-life programs and commenced a process to
consolidate its North American depot operations into fewer, strategically
located facilities. These actions have included closing the Company's Anaheim
repair depot, consolidation of certain of the Company's Northern, CA repair
depots into Livermore, CA, disposition of the Company's contract manufacturing
operations in Tustin, CA (see Note 6), closing the Company's contract and repair
operations in Texas, and closing the Company's computer training operations in
Redmond, CA. As a result of the foregoing, the Company has substantially reduced
the North American operations fixed costs of operations. The Company has
recently reorganized its North American operations into two business lines;
repair depots and spare parts sales. In addition, the Company has opened two new
repair depots in Ontario, CA and Louisville, Kentucky, to improve its strategic
location to major transportation centers. Although these repair depots are still
in the start-up phase, the Company expects these locations will focus on high
volume throughput for designated OEMs in line with its service outsourcing
strategy.

     Equity in earnings of joint venture relates to the Company's ownership
interest in Modcomp/Cerplex. As discussed in Note 5 - Acquisitions, the Company
acquired the remaining 51% in Modcomp/Cerplex effective April 1, 1996. As a
result, the Company consolidated the results of operations and financial
position of this entity effective April 1, 1996. Prior to April 1, 1996, the
Company recorded its 49% interest in Modcomp/Cerplex on the equity method of
accounting.

     Effective April 1, 1996, the Company sold its contract manufacturing
division in Tustin, CA to Pen Interconnect for $3.5 million in cash and
restricted common stock valued at approximately $2 million at the time of the
acquisition. The gain on the sale of the InCirT Division was $450,000.

     Interest expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 29,
1996 increased $516,000 and $1,240,000 as a result of increased average
borrowings under the Company's credit facilities and a higher weighted average
interest rate. Average borrowings outstanding were $64.9 million during the
nine-month period ended September 29, 1996 compared to $58.9 million during the
nine-month period


                                       14


<PAGE>   15
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES


ended October 1, 1995. The effective interest rate on credit facilities
increased to 10.24% during the nine-month period ended September 29, 1996 from
8.47% during the nine-month period ended October 1, 1995.

Income Taxes

     Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 29, 1996 is
primarily related to income taxes on earnings of the Company's operations in
Europe at an effective tax rate of 32%. The Company has not recorded an income
tax benefit related to operating losses in the United States, and, accordingly,
a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets has continued to be
maintained due to uncertainties surrounding their realization. The Company
recorded an income tax benefit during the nine-month period ended October 1,
1995, of $1.3 million related to projected losses from continuing operations for
1996. No income tax benefit was recorded for the estimated loss from liquidation
of discontinued operations.

Discontinued Operations

     During 1995, the Company discontinued its end-of-life programs, a segment
of the business, through a liquidation of remaining operations. During the
nine-month period ended September 29, 1996, net sales of discontinued operations
were $8.4 million. No gain or loss on discontinued operations was recorded
during the nine-month period ended September 29, 1996.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     On October 12, 1994, the Company obtained a $60 million revolving line of
credit ("Credit Facility") from a group of banks led by Wells Fargo Bank (the
"Lenders"). The Credit Facility replaced the Company's $10 million credit line
with CoastFed Business Credit Corp. ("CoastFed"). The Company used $6.1 million
to retire the CoastFed line and $11.0 million to retire an outstanding note
payable to IBM. The Credit Facility originally matured in October 1997 and
provided for borrowings based on the Company continuing to meet certain
financial covenants for leverage, cash flow, tangible net worth and liquidity
ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement dated October 12, 1994, by and among
the Company and the Lenders (the "Credit Agreement"). The interest rate on the
Credit Facility as of December 31, 1995 was 8.81% based upon a blend of LIBOR
and prime lending rates. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by all
of the Company's assets, including the assets and stock of the Company's
subsidiaries. At December 31, 1995, the Company was not in compliance with the
contractual obligations and financial covenants of the Credit Agreement. The
financial covenants which the Company was not in compliance were liquidity
ratio, minimum cash flow coverage, maximum leverage ratio, minimum net worth,
and minimum past due accounts receivable.

     In April 1996, the Company entered into an amended Credit Agreement (the
"Amended Credit Agreement") that reduced the maximum amount available under the
line of credit from $60 million to $48 million and requires reductions in
commitments to $47 million at September 29, 1996, $45 million at December 31,
1996, and $43 million at March 15, 1997. The interest rate on the Credit
Facility has been increased to prime plus 2.25% and maturity date has been
accelerated from October 1997 to March 31, 1997. The interest rate on the Credit
Facility as of September 29, 1996 was 10.5% based upon prime lending rates. In
consideration for the amendment to the Credit Agreement, the Company was
required to provide the Lenders warrants to purchase 125,000 shares of common
stock at $6 per share and pay certain commitment fees and out-of-pocket
expenses. The Amended Credit Agreement includes revised covenants for liquidity,
leverage, net worth, profitability and collateral, and requires additional
reductions in outstanding borrowings (generally determined on the basis of
percentage of proceeds) in the event of


                                       15


<PAGE>   16
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

the sale of assets and issuance of additional equity or certain excess cash flow
as such terms are defined in the Amended Credit Agreement.

     The Company was in violation of certain financial covenants under the
Amended Credit Agreement during the three-month period ended September 29, 1996.
In consideration of decreasing the exercise price of the above warrants from $6
per share to $2.50, the Lenders have waived these covenant violations through
November 30, 1996. The Company intends to negotiate an amendment to the Credit
Facility, although there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in
this regard.

     In November 1993, the Company sold $17.3 million in principal amount of its
Series A 9.0% (changed to 9.5% in October 1994) Senior Subordinated Notes and
$5.7 million in principal amount of its Series B 9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes
with 920,000 detachable warrants to purchase Common Stock. The detachable
warrants were issued at the option price of $.01 per share resulting in an
original issue discount of $3.6 million on the Series B 9.0% Senior Subordinated
Notes. The Series A Senior Subordinated Notes accrued interest at the rate of
9.5% per annum, payable quarterly, with principal amount thereof payable in
three equal installments on November 9, in the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. The
Company is subject to certain financial and other covenants which include
restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt, payment of any dividends and
certain other cash disbursements as well as the maintenance of certain financial
ratios as defined in the Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which the Senior
Subordinated Notes were sold to the Company. At December 31, 1995, the Company
was not in compliance with the contractual obligations and financial covenants
of the Note Purchase Agreements. The financial covenants with which the Company
was not in compliance were maximum leverage ratio, minimum net worth and minimum
fixed charge ratio.

     In April 1996, the Company entered into an amendment to the Note Purchase
Agreements that revised the covenants for maximum leverage, net worth and fixed
charges. In consideration for the amendment to the Note Purchase Agreements, the
Company was required to provide the Senior Note Holders warrants to purchase
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at $6 per share. As a result of the issuance of
the warrants, the Company discounted the book value of the debt outstanding and
increased paid-in capital by the fair market value of the warrants ($3.0
million). The discount is being amortized as additional interest expense over
the period of the related debt on the interest method. The Company was in
violation of certain financial covenants under the Note Purchase Agreements
during the three-month period ended September 29, 1996. In consideration
of decreasing the exercise price of the above warrants from $6 per share to
$2.50, the Senior Note Holders have waived these covenant violations through
November 30, 1996. The Company intends to negotiate an amendment to the Note
Purchase Agreements, although there is no assurance that the Company will be
successful in this regard.

     The Company's primary sources for liquidity are cash flow from operations
and its ability to reduce working capital requirements. The Company does not
have available capacity under its Credit Agreement and is required to reduce
borrowings during 1996 and repay the remaining borrowings at March 1997.
Accordingly, additional funds will be needed to finance the Company's operations
from the sale of assets, reduction in working capital, and/or obtaining
additional equity or long-term debt. There can be no assurance that additional
funds will be available when needed or, if available, that the terms of such
transactions will be favorable to the Company and its stockholders.

     Effective April 1, 1996, the Company sold its contract manufacturing
operations in Tustin, California for $3.5 million cash and restricted Common
Stock valued at approximately $2.0 million at the time of the acquisition. The
Company was required to use $2.0 million of the proceeds from the sale of the


                                       16


<PAGE>   17
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

InCirT Division to repay a portion of the borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
In April 1996, the Company received a distribution from its earnings of
Modcomp/Cerplex of $3.0 million which was used to acquire the remaining 51%
interest of this partnership.

     In May 1996, the Company acquired Rank Xerox Limited's subsidiary, Cerplex
SAS, for $6.1 million, including estimated taxes, registration fees, legal,
accounting and other out-of-pocket expenses of $1.2 million. Cerplex SAS is the
legal successor to Rank Xerox et Compagnie ("Rank Xerox SNC"), which was
transformed immediately prior to the acquisition from a societe en nom collectif
( a type of partnership) into a societe par actions simplifee (a form of limited
liability company), at which time its name was changed to Cerplex SAS. Under the
terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to certain
financial covenants over a four-year period that limit the amount of dividends
and payments in the nature of corporate charges paid by Cerplex SAS; the
maintenance of Cerplex SAS' current ratio greater than one; and restrictions on
guarantees with respect to Cerplex and its subsidiaries (excluding Cerplex SAS).
Accordingly, the cash of Cerplex SAS ($19.9 million at September 29, 1996) is
generally not available to Cerplex for financing operations outside of Cerplex
SAS. In addition, Cerplex SAS entered into a four-year Supply and Services
Agreement with RXL to provide repair and refurbishment services with guaranteed
levels of production hours (at standard rates) that decline over the period of
the contract. The Company financed the acquisition of Cerplex SAS through a
portion of the proceeds from the sale of InCirT and issuance of convertible
Series B Stock.

     In June 1996, the Company issued 8,000 shares of Series B Stock at $1,000
per share in a private placement. The Series B Stock is convertible into Common
Stock of the Company at the option of each holder at the lower of $5.07 per
share or 80% of the average closing bid price over a ten-day period ending three
days prior to the date of conversion. The Series B Stock will automatically
convert into Common Stock on the earlier of five years from the date of issuance
or such date as the Company's Common Stock has traded above $19.13 per share for
a specified period of time. The Series B Stock has certain rights, privileges
and preferences, including a $2,000 per share preference in the event of a sale
of the Company. The Board of Directors may not pay dividends to the holders of
the Company's Common Stock unless and until the Board has paid an equivalent
dividend to the holders of Series B Stock based upon the number of shares of
Common Stock into which each share of Series B Stock is convertible.

     The Company acquired inventory consisting of used telephones from Lucent
Technologies, Inc. ("Lucent"). At September 29, 1996, the Company had $7.0
million of inventory, production cost commitments and assets related to the
telephones acquired from Lucent. In June 1996, the Company executed a promissory
note bearing interest at 9.75% in the amount of $4.6 million payable on
September 15, 1996 in favor of Lucent, reflecting a portion of the amount
invoiced to the Company by Lucent (the "Lucent Note"). Lucent has invoiced the
Company for an additional $.6 million. Due to the quality of the inventory and
the lack of availability of spare parts to effect repairs, the Company believes
it has claims against Lucent. The Company currently does not intend to pay the
Lucent Note or other Lucent invoices. The failure to pay the Lucent Note on
September 15, 1996 constitutes an event of default under the Company's senior
Credit Facility and may result in an event of default under the Company's Note
Purchase Agreements. If the Company is required to pay the Lucent Note and other
Lucent invoices in full, it would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial resources. On October 7, 1996, the Company filed a lawsuit
against Lucent in the Orange County Superior Court seeking to have the Lucent
Note declared invalid. On November 6, 1996, Lucent filed a cross-complaint
seeking payment of the Lucent Note, alleging damages for breach of contract and
seeking a constructive trust on any proceeds from the sale of the telephones.
The Company's failure to have the Lucent Note declared invalid, or the loss to


                                       17


<PAGE>   18
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

Lucent of any of the material claims asserted against the Company, could
materially and adversely affect the Company.

     In October 1996, the Company entered into a transaction with Atwood
Richards, Inc. ("ARI") pursuant to which the Company is obligated to continue to
repair and refurbish the remaining telephones in inventory through December 31,
1996, and deliver 100% of the repaired product to ARI. The Company will receive
trade credits for up to $7.5 million in goods and services depending on the
number of telephones repaired. The trade credits received from ARI may be used
to acquire various goods and services, and the Company also believes it may be
able to use the trade credits to repay indebtedness or other operating expenses.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to use the trade credits
in the near term, if at all.

     The Company is committed to pay BT (pound)1.8 million (approximately $2.9
million as of September 29, 1996) in 1999 or earlier if certain sales volumes
are reached, and to pay a former shareholder of PCS up to $500,000 during 1997.


                                       18


<PAGE>   19
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     On October 7, 1996 the Company filed a complaint against Lucent in the
Orange County Superior Court seeking to have the Lucent Note declared invalid.
Lucent filed an Answer and Cross-Complaint on November 6, 1996 for payment of
the Lucent Note, breach of contract and a constructive trust on any proceeds
from the sale of the phones. The Company's failure to have the Lucent Note
declared invalid, or the loss to Lucent of any of the material claims asserted
against the Company, could materially and adversely affect the Company. Such
legal proceedings are more fully described in "Liquidity and Capital Resources"
herein.


ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES

     None.


ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

     During the quarter ended September 29, 1996, the Company was in default
under its Amended Credit Agreement and its Note Purchase Agreements, as amended.
The Company has obtained waivers through November 30, 1996 waiving compliance
with the provisions of such agreements giving rise to the default. In addition,
the Company has not paid any principal or interest on the Lucent Note. See
"Liquidity and Capital Resources" herein for a more detailed discussion.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     The Company held its Annual Meeting of its Stockholders on August 22, 1996.
The following directors were elected at such meeting (the number of votes in
favor of each director and the number of abstentions are indicated in the
parenthetical following each director's name; there were no broker non-votes
for any director): Richard C. Davis (9,566,036 in favor / 2,610 abstentions),
Robert Finzi (9,566,836 in favor / 2,010 abstentions), Jerome Jacobson
(9,566,636 in favor / 2,010 abstentions), Patrick S. Jones (9,566,636 in favor /
2,010 abstentions), William A. Klein (9,552,910 in favor / 15,736 abstentions),
Myron Kunin (9,566,636 in favor / 2,010 abstentions) and James T. Schraith
(9,557,400 in favor / 11,246 abstentions). In addition, the stockholders
approved, by a vote of 9,536,740 in favor, 3,630 abstentions, and no broker
non-votes, a proposal to authorize the issuance of Common Stock equal to 20% or
more of the outstanding Common Stock upon conversion of the Company's Series B
Stock. The stockholders also approved, by a vote of 9,357,503 in favor, 3,630
abstentions and no broker non-votes, certain amendments to the Company's 1993
Restated Stock Option Plan, as amended, which increased the number of shares of
the Company's Common Stock available for issuance from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000
shares and increased the total number of shares of Common Stock for which any
one individual may be granted stock options or separately exercisable stock
appreciation rights in any calendar year from 300,000 to 500,000. Finally, the
stockholders approved, by a vote of 9,564,146 in favor, 3,990 abstentions and no
broker non-votes, the ratification of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the 1996 fiscal year.


                                       19


<PAGE>   20
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

RISK FACTORS

         Losses and Accumulated Deficit. For the nine-month period ended
September 29, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company reported a
net loss of $13.8 million and $39.4 million, respectively. As of September 29,
1996, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $60.8 million. The Company also
expects to report a loss for the fourth quarter of 1996. There can be no
assurance that the Company will operate profitably in the future. Continued
losses could materially and adversely affect the Company's business and the
value of, and the market for, the Company's equity securities.

         Future Capital Needs; Uncertainty of Additional Financing. The
Company's ability to maintain its current revenue base and to grow its business
is dependent on the availability of adequate capital. Without sufficient
capital, the Company's growth may be limited. During portions of 1995 and 1996,
the Company was in default under its senior Credit Agreement and subordinated
Note Purchase Agreements. The Company obtained a limited waiver of designated
defaults through November 30, 1996 with its lenders and Subordinated Note
Holders. The Company intends to negotiate an amendment to the Credit Agreement
and Note Purchase Agreements, although there is no assurance that the Company
will be successful in this regard. The failure of the Company to negotiate an
amendment to the Credit Agreement and Note Purchase Agreements could have a
material adverse effect upon the Company.

         The terms of the senior Credit Facility have resulted in a reduced
borrowing base which will be further reduced over the period ending March 1997.
The Company is required to use a portion of cash generated from operations, from
sales of assets, and from sales of equity securities to further reduce its
borrowing base under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company is
restricted from accessing the cash or the assets of the Company's Cerplex SAS
operations in France, which further limits the Company's financial resources. As
a result, the Company currently has limited capital. In addition, the terms of
the Company's Credit Agreement and Note Purchase Agreements restrict the
Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness and could adversely affect
the Company's ability to obtain additional financing. General market conditions
and the Company's future performance (including its ability to generate profits
and positive cash flow) will also impact the Company's financial resources. The
failure of the Company to obtain additional capital when needed could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and future prospects. No
assurance can be given that the Company will not incur additional defaults under
such agreements, or that additional financing will be available or, if
available, will be on acceptable terms.

         Dispute with Lucent Technologies. The Company acquired inventory
consisting of used telephones from Lucent. At September 29, 1996, the Company
had $7.0 million of inventory, production cost commitments and assets related to
the telephones acquired from Lucent. In June 1996, the Company executed a
promissory note bearing interest at 9.75% in the amount of $4.6 million payable
on September 15, 1996 in favor of Lucent, reflecting a portion of the amount
invoiced to the Company by Lucent. Lucent has invoiced the Company for an
additional $.6 million. Due to the quality of the inventory and the lack of
availability of spare parts to effect repairs, the Company believes it has
claims against Lucent. The Company currently does not intend to pay the Lucent
Note or other Lucent invoices. The failure to pay the Lucent Note on September
15, 1996 constitutes an event of default under the Company's senior Credit
Facility and may result in an event of default under the Company's Note Purchase
Agreements. If the Company is required to pay the Lucent Note and other Lucent
invoices in full, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial resources. On October 7, 1996, the Company filed a lawsuit against
Lucent in the Orange County Superior Court seeking to have the Lucent Note
declared invalid.

                                       20


<PAGE>   21
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

On November 6, 1996, Lucent filed a cross-complaint seeking payment of the
Lucent Note, alleging damages for breach of contract and seeking a constructive
trust on any proceeds from the sale of the telephones. The Company's failure to
have the Lucent Note declared invalid, or the loss to Lucent of any of the
material claims asserted against the Company, could materially and adversely
affect the Company.

         Risk of Excess and Unusable Inventory; Decreased Value of Assets. At
September 29, 1996, inventory constituted approximately 19.2% of the Company's
assets. Any decrease in the demand for the Company's repair services could
result in a substantial portion of the Company's inventory becoming excess,
obsolete or otherwise unusable. During the last few years, the Company wrote
down a significant amount of inventory and a significant amount of other assets,
including receivables, securities and goodwill. Changes in the Company's
business, as well as the business of third parties, could adversely affect the
value of assets remaining on the Company's financial statements, possibly
resulting in write-offs. The existence, amounts and timing of any such
additional write-offs will be dependent upon various factors including, without
limitation, the volume and profitability of future operations, market conditions
as well as the operations of the above-mentioned third parties. In addition, the
Company became entitled to receive an aggregate of approximately 370,000 shares
of Common Stock of Pen Interconnect in connection with the sale of its InCirT
division which were valued at $5.40 per share. Recently, the trading price of
such shares has decreased substantially and there can be no assurance that the
Company will not be required to write down its investment with respect to such
shares in the future. In October, the Company sold all of its inventory of
phones purchased from Lucent to Atwood Richards, Inc. ("ARI"). The consideration
paid to the Company from ARI was up to $7.5 million in trade credits. As of
September 29, 1996, the Company had $7.0 million of inventory, production cost
commitments and assets related to the telephones acquired from Lucent. The
Company has no prior experience in using trade credits and there can be no
assurance the Company will realize the value of the trade credits. There can be
no assurance that the Company will not be required to write down significant
amounts of its inventory or other assets in the future, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

         Dependence on Key Customers. During the nine months ended September 29,
1996, BT, Rank Xerox, IBM, and SpectraVision accounted for approximately 12%,
9%, 8% and 4%, respectively, of continuing operations. During 1995, IBM and
SpectraVision significantly decreased orders for certain programs which
materially and adversely affected the Company and its results of operations. The
Company ceased performing services for SpectraVision in August 1996. A
significant portion of the Company's net sales attributable to IBM in 1995 were
from discontinued operations, and, as such, the Company expects net sales
attributable to IBM to continue to account for a decreasing percentage of the
Company's net sales. Also, an agreement with IBM for spare parts (which
accounted for approximately 7% of the Company's net sales from continuing
operations through September 29, 1996) expired in September 1996. Although the
Company will not provide spare parts under this agreement after September 1996,
the Company believes it will continue to provide services to IBM under other
programs. There can be no assurance that major customers of the Company will not
terminate any or all of their arrangements with the Company; significantly
change, reduce or delay the amount of services ordered from the Company; or
significantly change the terms upon which the Company and these customers do
business. Any such termination, change, reduction or delay could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business.

         Dependence on Customers in the Electronics Industry. The Company is
dependent upon the continued growth, viability and financial stability of its
customers and potential customers in the electronics industry, particularly the
computer industry. The computer industry has been characterized by rapid


                                       21


<PAGE>   22
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

technological change, compressed product life cycles and pricing and margin
pressures. Improvements in technology and quality of hardware products or other
factors may result in a reduced need for parts and systems repairs in the future
which may adversely affect the Company's business. The factors affecting
segments of the electronics industry in general, and the Company's OEM customers
in particular, could have an adverse effect on the Company's business. During
1995 and 1996, several of the Company's customers experienced severe financial
difficulty resulting in significant losses to the Company as a result of write
downs of receivables and other assets. There can be no assurance that existing
customers or future customers will not experience financial difficulty, which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.

         Reliance on Short-Term Purchase Orders. The Company's customer
contracts are typically subject to termination on short notice at the customer's
discretion and purchase orders under such contracts typically only cover
services over a 90-day period. The termination of any material contracts or any
substantial decrease in the orders received from major customers could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business.

         Competition. The Company competes with the in-house repair centers of
OEMs and TPMs for repair services. There is no assurance that these entities
will choose to outsource their repair needs. In certain instances, these
entities compete directly with the Company for the services of unrelated OEMs
and TPMs. In addition to competing with OEMs and TPMs, the Company also competes
for depot repair business with a small number of independent organizations
similar in size to the Company and a large number of smaller companies. Many of
the companies with which the Company competes have significantly greater
financial resources than the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to compete effectively in its target markets.

         Management of Growth. The Company's growth has placed, and will
continue to place, a strain on the Company's managerial, operational and
financial resources. These resources may be further strained by the
geographically dispersed operations of the Company and the future addition of
acquired depots or businesses, if any. The Company's ability to manage growth
effectively will require it to continue to improve its operational, financial
and management information systems; to develop the management skills of its
managers and supervisors; and to train, motivate and effectively manage its
employees. The Company's failure to effectively manage growth, including
acquired operations, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business.

         Expansion of International Sales. During the three-month period ended
September 29, 1996, approximately 50% of the Company's business was in Europe
and the Company intends to continue to expand its European operations. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully market, sell and
deliver its products and services in these markets. In addition to the
uncertainty as to the Company's ability to expand its international presence,
there are certain risks inherent in doing business on an international level,
such as unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, export restrictions,
tariffs and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign
operations, longer payment cycles, problems in collecting accounts receivable,
political instability, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and potentially
adverse tax consequences, which could adversely impact the success of the
Company's international operations. There can be no assurance that one or more
of such factors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
international operations and, consequently, on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.


                                       22


<PAGE>   23
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

         Dependence on Acquisition Strategy. Certain of the Company's repair
programs result in decreasing net sales as the installed base of the particular
products under such programs decreases over time. An important component of the
Company's strategy to maintain its revenue and to grow its business has been the
acquisition of repair programs and complementary businesses. Competition for
these types of transactions is likely to intensify. The Company's ability to
effect any significant transactions requiring capital will be limited by the
terms of the Company's senior credit facility and subordinated notes. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to acquire additional repair
programs or complementary businesses or, if acquired, that such operations will
prove to be profitable.

         Discontinued Operations; Change in Strategy. In September 1995, Cerplex
adopted a plan to discontinue its end-of-life programs, a line of business which
historically generated a significant percentage of the Company's total sales,
but which in recent years experienced declining sales. Net sales from
end-of-life programs declined from approximately $56 million in 1993 to $33
million in 1994 to $20 million in 1995. The net loss from discontinued
operations for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $17.4 million. There can be
no assurance that the Company will not incur additional losses from these
operations. In connection with discontinuing its end-of-life business, the
Company changed certain elements of its business strategy and is undergoing
changes in management and operations, is developing a direct sales force and
terminating the majority of its outside sales representatives, is reducing its
emphasis on inventory acquisitions and focusing on targeted customers in
specific industries. While the Company believes such changes will enhance the
Company's opportunities, there can be no assurance that such changes will
positively impact the Company's business and results of operations in the short
or long term.

         Risk Associated with the Ability of Existing Stockholders to Control
the Company. As of June 30, 1996, the officers, directors, principal
stockholders and their affiliates owned approximately 52% of the outstanding
Common Stock. Although there are currently no voting agreements or similar
arrangements among such stockholders, if they were to act in concert, they would
be able to elect a majority of the Company's directors, to determine the outcome
of most corporate actions requiring stockholder approval and otherwise to
control the business affairs of the Company. In addition, the Board of Directors
of the Company has the authority under the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to issue shares of the Company's authorized Preferred Stock in one
or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
granted to or imposed upon any unissued shares of Preferred Stock. The issuance
of Preferred Stock may adversely affect the voting and dividend rights, rights
upon liquidation and other rights of the holders of Common Stock. The issuance
of Preferred Stock and the control by existing stockholders, if they were to act
in concert, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control of the Company.

         On June 11, 1996, the Company consummated a private placement of Series
B Stock. Holders of Series B Stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the Board prior and in preference to payment of
any dividends to the holders of Common Stock. In the event of any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company or the merger or sale of the Company,
the holders of Series B Stock will be entitled to receive, prior and in
preference to any distribution to the holders of Common Stock, the amount of
$2,000 per share of Series B Stock plus all accrued or declared but unpaid
dividends. Additionally, the Series B Stock is convertible into Common Stock at
a rate equal to the lower of a 20% discount to the trading price of the Common
Stock or $5.07 per share. The conversion rights of the Series B Stock could have
a significant dilutive effect upon the holders of Common Stock.

         Dependence on Key Personnel. The Company's continued success depends,
to a large extent, upon the efforts and abilities of key managerial employees,
particularly the Company's executive officers.



                                       23


<PAGE>   24
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

Competition for qualified management personnel in the industry is intense. The
loss of services of certain of these key employees could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business. James T. Schraith, the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, resigned in October 1996 to accept a key position with
Compaq. William A. Klein, the Company's Chairman, is currently acting as
President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company currently is searching for a
new Chief Executive Officer.

         No Assurance of Public Market for Common Stock; Possible Volatility of
Stock Price. Prior to the Company's initial public offering, there was no public
market for the Common Stock, and there can be no assurance that an active
trading market will be sustained. At September 29, 1996, the Company was not in
compliance with Nasdaq National Market System's net tangible asset requirement
which could result in the loss of listing on the National Market System unless
the Company is able to increase its net tangible assets in the near term. The
Company believes it will be eligible for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market
if it loses its National Market System listing. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to maintain its listing on Nasdaq's National Market
System or obtain listing on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market. In addition, the trading
price of the Common Stock has been, and in the future could be, subject to
significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating
results, the gain or loss of significant contracts, changes in management or new
products or services by the Company or its competitors, general trends in the
industry and other events or factors. In addition, the stock market has
experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations which have particularly
affected the market price for many companies in similar industries and which
have often been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. These
broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company's
Common Stock.


                                       24


<PAGE>   25
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  EXHIBITS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER           TITLE                                                          METHOD OF FILING
- ------           -----                                                          ----------------

<S>         <C>                                                        <C>
2.1         Agreement of Merger dated as of August 30, 1993,           Incorporated herein by reference
            by and among Cerplex Incorporated, Diversified             to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's
            Manufacturing Services, Inc. ("DMS"), EMServe,             Registration Statement on Form S-1
            Inc. ("EMServe"), InCirT Technology Incorporated           (File No. 33-75004) which was
            ("InCirT") and Testar, Inc. ("Testar").                    declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


2.2         Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 12,            Incorporated herein by reference
            1993, between The Cerplex Group Subsidiary, Inc.           to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's
            and Registrant (conformed copy to original).               Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


2.3         Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Registrant          Incorporated herein by reference
            with and into The Cerplex Group Subsidiary, Inc.           to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company's
            dated as of November 12, 1993.                             Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


2.4         Asset Purchase Agreement effective December 17,            Incorporated herein by reference
            1993 by and between CerTech Technology, Inc., a            to Exhibit 2.4 to the Company's
            wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant                  Registration Statement on Form S-1
            ("CerTech"), and Spectradyne, Inc. ("Spectradyne").        (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


2.5         Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of July 29,           Incorporated herein by reference
            1994, by and among The Cerplex Group, Inc.,                to Exhibit 2 to the Form 8-K filed
            Cerplex Limited, BT Repair Services Limited and            July 29, 1994.
            British Telecommunications plc.


2.6         Contract for repair, calibration and warehousing of        Incorporated herein by reference
            certain items of BT Equipment dated as of July 29,         to Exhibit 10 to the Form 8-K
            1994, among The Cerplex Group and Cerplex                  filed July 29, 1994.
            Limited and BT.
</TABLE>


                                       25


<PAGE>   26
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>
2.7         Formation and Contribution Agreement effective             Incorporated herein by reference
            December 1, 1994 by and among Modcomp/Cerplex              to Exhibit 2.7 to the Company's
            L.P., Modular Computer Systems, Inc., Cerplex              Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Subsidiary, Inc. and The Cerplex Group, Inc.               the fiscal year ended January 1,
                                                                       1995.


2.8         Contingent Promissory Note dated December 1, 1994          Incorporated herein by reference
            issued by Modcomp/Cerplex L.P. to Modular                  to Exhibit 2.8 to the Company's
            Computer Systems, Inc.                                     Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                                                                       the fiscal year ended January 1,
                                                                       1995.


2.9         Limited Partnership Agreement of Modcomp/Cerplex           Incorporated herein by reference
            L.P. effective December 1, 1994.                           to Exhibit 2.9 to the Company's
                                                                       Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                                                                       fiscal year ended January 1, 1995.


2.10        Put/Call Option Agreement effective December 1,            Incorporated herein by reference
            1994 by and among Cerplex Subsidiary, Inc., The            to Exhibit 2.10 to the Company's
            Cerplex Group, Inc., Modular Computer Systems,             Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Inc. and Modcomp Joint Venture Inc.                        the fiscal year ended January 1,
                                                                       1995.


2.11        Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995         Incorporated herein by reference
            by and among The Cerplex Group, Inc., Tu Nguyen            to Exhibit 2.11 to the Company's
            and Phuc Le.                                               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                                                                       for the quarter ended October 1,
                                                                       1995.

2.12        Letter Agreement dated April 5, 1996 by and among          Incorporated herein by reference
            Modular Computer Systems, Inc., Modcomp Joint              to Exhibit 2.12 to the Company's
            Venture, Inc., AEG Aktiengesellschaft, the                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Company, Cerplex Subsidiary, Inc. and                      the fiscal year ended December
            Modcomp/Cerplex L.P.                                       31, 1995.


3.1         Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the               Incorporated herein by reference
            Registrant.                                                to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


3.2         Bylaws of the Registrant                                   Incorporated herein by reference
                                                                       to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.
</TABLE>


                                       26


<PAGE>   27
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>
3.3         Certificate of Designation of Preferences of Series B      Incorporated herein by reference
            Preferred Stock of The Cerplex Group, Inc.                 to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's
                                                                       Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                                                                       the quarter ended June 30, 1996.


4.1         Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November 19,          Incorporated herein by reference
            1993 by and among the Registrant, the stockholders         to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's
            of the Registrant identified in Part A of Schedule I       Registration Statement on Form S-1
            thereto and the purchasers of shares of the                (File No. 33-75004) which was
            Registrant's Series A Preferred Stock identified in        declared effective by the
            Schedule I thereto (including the Schedules thereto;       Commission on April 8, 1994.
            Exhibits omitted).


4.2         Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November         Incorporated herein by reference
            19, 1993, by and among the Registrant, the investors       to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
            listed on Schedule A thereto and the security holders      Registration Statement on Form S-1
            of the Registrant listed on Schedule B thereto,            (File No. 33-75004) which was
            together with Amendment No.1.                              declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


4.3         Co-Sale Agreement dated as of November 19, 1993,           Incorporated herein by reference
            by and among the Registrant, the managers listed on        to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's
            Schedule A thereto and the investors listed on             Registration Statement on Form S-1
            Schedule B thereto.                                        (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


4.4         Warrant Agreement dated as of November 19, 1993,           Incorporated herein by reference
            by and among the Registrant and the purchasers listed      to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's
            in Annex 1 thereto.                                        Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


4.5         Placement Agent Warrant Purchase Agreement dated           Incorporated herein by reference
            as of November 19, 1993, between the Registrant            to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's
            and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities                Registration Statement on Form S-1
            Corporation.                                               (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


4.6         Observation Rights Agreement dated as of November          Incorporated herein by reference
            19, 1993, between the Registrant and certain stock         to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's
            purchasers.                                                Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

</TABLE>


                                      27


<PAGE>   28
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>    
4.7         Observation Rights Agreement dated as of November          Incorporated herein by reference
            19, 1993, between the Registrant and certain note          to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's
            purchasers.                                                Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

4.8         Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 19,           Incorporated herein by reference
            1993, by and among the Registrant and The                  to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's
            Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, John           Registration Statement on Form S-1
            Hancock Mutual Life Insurance, Registrant and Bank         (File No. 33-75004) which was
            of Scotland London Nominees Limited.                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

4.9         Amendment No. 2 to Registration Rights Agreement           Incorporated herein by reference
            dated as of April 6, 1994, by and among the                to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's
            Registrant and certain of its Securities holders.          Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

4.10        Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of          Incorporated herein by reference
            October 27, 1994, by and among the Company,                to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company's
            Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, John           Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company and North            the fiscal year ended December
            Atlantic Smaller Companies Trust P.L.C.                    31, 1995.
            (collectively, the "Noteholders").

4.11        Waiver and Amendment Agreement dated April 15,             Incorporated herein by reference
            1996 by and among Company, The Northwestern                to Exhibit 4.11 to the Company's
            Mutual Life Insurance Company, John Hancock                Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Mutual Life Insurance Company and North Atlantic           the fiscal year ended December
            Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC.                    31, 1995.

4.12        Warrant Agreement dated as of April 15, 1996 by            Incorporated herein by reference
            and among Company, The Northwestern Mutual Life            to Exhibit 4.12 to the Company's
            Insurance Company, John Hancock Mutual Life                Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Insurance Company and North Atlantic Smaller               the fiscal year ended December
            Companies Investment Trust PLC.                            31, 1995.

4.13        First Amendment to Warrant Agreement dated April           Incorporated herein by reference
            15, 1996 by and among Company and each of the              to Exhibit 4.13 to the Company's
            holders of warrants listed on Schedule A thereto,          Annual Report on Form 10-K for  
            with respect to that certain Warrant Agreement dated       the fiscal year ended December  
            November 19, 1993.                                         31, 1995.                       
</TABLE>


                                       28


<PAGE>   29
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>
4.14        First Amendment to Observation Rights Agreement            Incorporated herein by reference
            dated as of April 15, 1996 between Company and             to Exhibit 4.14 to the Company's
            certain note purchasers.                                   Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                                                                       the fiscal year ended December
                                                                       31, 1995.

4.15        Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement           Incorporated herein by reference
            dated as of April 15, 1996 by and among Company,           to Exhibit 4.15 to the Company's
            the investors of Company listed on Schedule A              Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            thereto and the security holders of Company listed on      the fiscal year ended December
            Schedule B thereto.                                        31, 1995.

4.16        Warrant Agreement dated April 15, 1996 by and              Incorporated herein by reference
            among Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National                  to Exhibit 4.16 to the Company's
            Association, Sumitomo Bank of California, BHF              Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Bank Aktiengesellschaft and Comerica Bank-                 the fiscal year ended December
            California.                                                31, 1995.

4.17        Stock Purchase Agreement dated June 10, 1996 by            Incorporated herein by reference
            and among the Company and the investors listed on          to Exhibit 4.17 to the Company's
            Schedule A thereto.                                        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                                                                       for the quarter ended June 30,
                                                                       1996.

4.18        Fourth Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement          Incorporated herein by reference
            dated June 10, 1996 by and among the Company, the          to Exhibit 4.18 to the Company's
            investors listed on Schedule A thereto, the security       Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
            holders of the Company listed on Schedule B thereto,       for the quarter ended June 30,
            the banks listed on Schedule C thereto and each of         1996.
            the parties listed on Schedule D thereto.

4.19        Certificate of Designation of Preferences of Series B      Incorporated herein by reference
            Preferred Stock of The Cerplex Group, Inc.                 to Exhibit 3.3 filed herein.
</TABLE>


                                       29


<PAGE>   30
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>                          
4.20        Waiver and Amendment Agreement dated as of                 Filed herein.
            October 31, 1996 by and among the Company, The
            Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, John
            Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company and North 
            Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC, 
            which waiver is made with reference to the Note 
            Purchase Agreement, as amended, and Warrant Agreement
            dated April 15, 1996.

10.1        The Registrant's 1990 Stock Option Plan (the "1990         Incorporated herein by reference
            Plan").                                                    to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.2        Form of Stock Option Agreement pertaining to the           Incorporated herein by reference
            1990 Plan.                                                 to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form
                                                                       S-1 (File No. 33-75004) which
                                                                       was declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.3        Form of Stock Purchase Agreement pertaining to the         Incorporated herein by reference
            1990 Plan.                                                 to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.4        The Registrant's 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "1993         Incorporated herein by reference
            Plan").                                                    to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.5        Form of Stock Option Agreement (grants to                  Incorporated herein by reference
            employees) pertaining to the 1993 Plan.                    to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.
</TABLE>


                                       30

<PAGE>   31
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>                                    
10.6        Form of Stock Option Agreement (grants to directors        Incorporated herein by reference
            and certain officers) pertaining to the 1993 Plan.         to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.7        Form of Stock Purchase Agreement for Installment           Incorporated herein by reference
            Options pertaining to the 1993 Plan.                       to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.8        Form of Stock Purchase Agreement for Immediately           Incorporated herein by reference
            Exercisable Options pertaining to the 1993 Plan.           to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form
                                                                       S-1 (File No. 33-75004) which
                                                                       was declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.


10.9        The Registrant's Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, as       Filed herein.
            amended (the "Restated Plan").

10.10       Form of Stock Option Agreement, together with              Incorporated herein by reference
            Addenda, pertaining to the Restated Plan.                  to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.11       Master Agreement dated May 6, 1992 by and                  Incorporated herein by reference
            between IBM and the Company.                               to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.12       Master Task Agreement dated December 1, 1991, by           Incorporated herein by reference
            and between International Business Machines                to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's
            Incorporated ("IBM") and the Registrant, together          Registration Statement on Form S-1
            with Amendment to Master Agreement and Task                (File No. 33-75004) which was
            Order.                                                     declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.
</TABLE>


                                       31


<PAGE>   32
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>
10.13       Technology Services Agreement effective March 1,           Incorporated herein by reference
            1993, by and between Novadyne Computer Systems,            to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's
            Inc. ("Novadyne") and Cerplex Incorporated (a              Registration Statement on Form S-1
            California corporation and a predecessor of the            (File No. 33-75004) which was
            Registrant), together with Amendments Nos. 1 and 2.        declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.14       Technology Services Agreement effective December           Incorporated herein by reference
            17, 1993, by and between Spectradyne, Inc.                 to Exhibit 10.13 to the
            ("Spectradyne") and the Registrant.                        Company's Registration Statement
                                                                       on Form S-1 (File No. 33-75004)
                                                                       which was declared effective by
                                                                       the Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.15       Form of Indemnity Agreement                                Incorporated herein by reference
                                                                       to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.16       Lease Agreement dated April 1, 1992 by and                 Incorporated herein by reference
            between Henry G. Page Jr., and Diversified                 to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's
            Manufacturing Services, Inc. ("DMS").                      Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.17       Sublease dated January 1, 1994 by and between Bull         Incorporated herein by reference
            and Cerplex Group, Inc. (a Massachusetts                   to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's
            corporation).                                              Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.18       Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease         Incorporated herein by reference
            - Net dated November 29, 1990 by and among Kilroy          to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company's
            Building 73 Partnership, Cerplex Incorporated and          Registration Statement on Form S-1
            InCirT, together with Amendment No. 1.                     (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.
</TABLE>


                                       32


<PAGE>   33
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>                    
10.19       Lease dated December 17, 1993 by and between               Incorporated herein by reference
            Spectradyne and CerTech.                                   to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.20       Sublease dated March 1, 1993 by and between                Incorporated herein by reference
            Novadyne and the Registrant together with Lease            to Exhibit 10.20 to the
            Amendment dated July 22, 1991 by and between               Company's Registration Statement
            McDonnell Douglas Realty Company and Novadyne.             on Form S-1 (File No. 33-75004)
                                                                       which was declared effective by
                                                                       the Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.21       Standard Industrial/Commercial Lease - Net dated           Incorporated herein by reference
            September 4, 1991 by and between Proficient Food           to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's
            Company and W.C. Cartwright Corporation                    Registration Statement on Form S-1
            ("Cartwright"), together with Addendum and                 (File No. 33-75004) which was
            Sublease dated September 6, 1991 by and between            declared effective by the
            Cartwright and the Registrant.                             Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.22       Sublease dated July 30, 1992 by and between                Incorporated herein by reference
            Cartwright and DMS.                                        to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's
                                                                       Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.23       Repair Services Agreement dated January 1, 1994 by         Incorporated herein by reference
            and between Bull HN Information Systems, Inc. and          to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's
            the Registrant.                                            Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                                                       (File No. 33-75004) which was
                                                                       declared effective by the
                                                                       Commission on April 8, 1994.

10.24       Credit Agreement dated as of October 12, 1994 (the         Incorporated herein by reference
            "Credit Agreement") among The Cerplex Group,               to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's
            Inc., as Borrower; the lenders listed therein, as          Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Lenders; and Wells Fargo Bank, National                    the fiscal year ended January 1,
            Association, as Administrative Agent; and those            1995.
            certain exhibits, schedules and collateral documents
            to such Credit Agreement.
</TABLE>


                                       33


<PAGE>   34
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>         <C>                                                        <C>                                                
10.25       Limited Waiver dated as of November 14, 1995               Incorporated herein by reference
            ("Waiver") by and among The Cerplex Group, Inc.            to Exhibit 10.25 to the
            (the "Company"), the financial institutions listed on      Company's Quarterly Report on
            the signature pages thereof ("Lenders"), and Wells         Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
            Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative        October 1, 1995.
            agent for the Lenders ("Administrative Agent"), and
            for certain limited purposes, CerTech Technology,
            Inc., Cerplex Mass., Inc., Cerplex Limited, Apex
            Computer Company, Cerplex Subsidiary, Inc. and
            Peripheral Computer Support, Inc. (the
            "Subsidiaries"), which Waiver is made with reference
            to the Credit Agreement.

10.26       The Cerplex Group, Inc. Restated 1993 Stock Option         Incorporated herein by reference
            Plan (Restated and Amended as of January 13, 1995).        to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's
                                                                       Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                                                                       the quarter ended October 1, 1995.

10.27       The Cerplex Group, Inc. Automatic Stock Option             Incorporated herein by reference
            Agreement.                                                 to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company's
                                                                       Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                                                                       the quarter ended October 1, 1995.

10.28       First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated April            Incorporated herein by reference
            15, 1996 by and among Company, the lenders whose           to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's
            signatures appear on the signature pages thereof, as       Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            Lenders; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as        the fiscal year ended December
            Administrative Agent; and the Subsidiaries for certain     31, 1995.
            limited purposes.

10.29       Promissory Note dated June 21, 1996 payable by the         Incorporated herein by reference
            Company to Lucent Technologies.                            to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's
                                                                       Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                                                                       the quarter ended June 30, 1996.


10.30       Limited Waiver dated as of October 31, 1996 by and         Filed herein.
            among the Company, Lenders and Administrative Agent, 
            and for certain limited purposes, the Subsidiaries, 
            Modcomp/Cerplex L.P., Modcomp Joint Venture, Inc., 
            Modular Computer Services, Inc., Modular Computer 
            Systems GmbH and Modcomp France S.A., which waiver is 
            made with reference to the Credit Agreement.


11.1        Statement Regarding Computation of Net Income              Filed herein.
            (Loss) Per Share.
</TABLE>


                                       34


<PAGE>   35
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



                                       35


<PAGE>   36
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

(b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (1)      On September 24, 1996, the Company filed a current report on Form
              8-K updating the Company's risk factors.

     (2)      On October 15, 1996, the Company filed a current report on Form
              8-K regarding the resignation of James T. Schraith from the
              officers of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.


                                       36


<PAGE>   37
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    SIGNATURE



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                     THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.



Date:  November 13, 1996              /s/ JAMES R. ECKSTAEDT
                                     -----------------------

                                     James R. Eckstaedt
                                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer
                                     (Principal financial and chief accounting
                                     officer)



                                       37


<PAGE>   38
                             THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                        QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Sequential
Exhibit  Description of Exhibits                                               Page No.
- -------  -----------------------                                               --------

<S>      <C>                                                                   <C> 
4.20     Waiver and Amendment Agreement dated as of October 31, 1996
         by and among the Company, The Northwestern Mutual Life
         Insurance Company, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
         and North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC,
         which waiver is made with reference to the Note Purchase
         Agreement, as amended, and Warrant Agreement dated April 15, 1996.

10.9     The Registrant's Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended
         (the "Restated Plan").

10.30    Limited Waiver dated as of October 31, 1996 by and among
         the Company, Lenders and Administrative  Agent, and for
         certain limited purposes, the Subsidiaries, Modcomp/Cerplex L.P.,
         Modcomp Joint Venture, Inc., Modular Computer Services, Inc.,
         Modular Computer Systems GmbH and Modcomp France S.A., which
         waiver is made with reference to the Credit Agreement.

11.1     Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per Share.

27.1     Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>


                                       38




<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 4.20


                         WAIVER AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT


                 WAIVER AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
October 31, 1996, by and among THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation
(together with its successors and assigns, the "Company"), THE NORTHWESTERN
MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY and
NORTH ATLANTIC SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC (collectively, the
"Noteholders").


                                   RECITALS:

                 A.       The Company has entered into those certain separate
Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of November 19, 1993 (collectively, as
amended pursuant to the terms of each of the amendment agreements set forth in
Schedule A to this Agreement, the "Note Purchase Agreement"), with each of the
Noteholders, pursuant to which the Company originally issued and sold to the
Noteholders

                          (i)     an aggregate principal amount of Seventeen
         Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($17,250,000) of the
         Company's Series A 9.00% Senior Subordinated Notes Due November 19,
         2001 (as amended, the "Notes"), and

                          (ii)    an aggregate principal amount of Five Million
         Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($5,750,000) of the Company's
         Series B 9.00% Senior Subordinated Notes Due November 19, 2001 (the
         "Series B Notes").  The Company has prepaid the Series B Notes and
         such Series B Notes are no longer issued and outstanding.

                 B.       The Noteholders are the current holders of one
hundred percent (100%) of the Notes outstanding as of the Effective Date.

                 C.       The Company and the Noteholders have entered into
that certain Warrant Agreement (the "Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement," and as
amended hereby, the "Amended 1996 Warrant Agreement"), dated as of April 15,
1996, pursuant to which the Company issued one million warrants of the Company
to the Noteholders.

                 D.       Pursuant to a notice to the Noteholders dated
September 23, 1996, the Company notified the Noteholders of certain Defaults
and Events of Defaults under Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 of the Note Purchase
Agreement (the "Noticed Events of Default," such term to include, for purposes
of avoidance of doubt, all Defaults and Events of Defaults under Section 6.3
and Section 6.4 of the Note Purchase Agreement that may have existed prior to
the date of such notice or after the date of such notice and prior to the
Effective Date (as hereinafter defined) and the Company has requested that the
Noteholders waive the Noticed Events of Default.





                                       1
<PAGE>   2
                 E.       In consideration of the aforesaid waivers, the
Company has agreed that the Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement shall be amended by
changing the definition of "Initial Purchase Price" therein from $6.00 to
$2.50.

                 F.       The Noteholders are agreeable, subject to the terms
and conditions set forth below, to granting the aforesaid waivers, and in
connection therewith, each of the Company and the Noteholders has agreed to
amend the Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement as set forth herein.

                 G.       Unless otherwise expressly provided for herein,
capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Note Purchase Agreement are
used herein with the meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENT:

                 NOW THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

                 SECTION 1.   WAIVER.

                 Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 4, the Noteholders hereby waive, on the Effective Date, each of the
Noticed Events of Default and agree that the effectiveness of Section 6.3 and
Section 6.4 shall be temporarily suspended from and including the Effective
Date to and including the earlier to occur of (a) the date that any holder of
Senior Debt takes any action in respect of any default or any event of default
under any Senior Credit Document and (b) November 30, 1996 (the "Reinstatement
Date").  After the Reinstatement Date, Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 shall be in
full force and effect.  Except for the foregoing express waivers and
suspensions, the terms of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of, or
otherwise prejudice, the rights, remedies or powers of the Noteholders under
the Note Purchase Agreement, under the Notes or under applicable law and all of
such rights, remedies and powers are hereby expressly reserved.

                 SECTION 2.   AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING 1996 WARRANT 
                              AGREEMENT; AFFIRMATION.

                 2.1      AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING 1996 WARRANT AGREEMENT.

                 The Company and, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Section 4, each of the Noteholders hereby amend and restate the
definition of "Initial Purchase Price" in the Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement
as set forth below:

                          INITIAL PURCHASE PRICE - means Two Dollars and Fifty
Cents ($2.50).





                                       2
<PAGE>   3
                 2.2      AFFIRMATION OF OBLIGATIONS.

                 The Company hereby acknowledges and affirms all of its
obligations under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and under the
Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement, as amended hereby.

                 SECTION 3.     WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS.

                 To induce the Noteholders to enter into this Agreement, the
Company warrants and represents to the Noteholders that as of the Effective
Date:

                 3.1      CORPORATE ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY.

                 The Company:

                          (a)     is a corporation duly incorporated, validly
         existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

                          (b)     has all legal and corporate power and
         authority to own and operate its Properties and to carry on its
         business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted;

                          (c)     has all licenses, certificates, permits,
         franchises and other governmental authorizations necessary to own and
         operate its Properties and to carry on its business as now conducted
         and as presently proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to
         have such licenses, certificates and permits, either individually or
         in the aggregate, would not have, and could not reasonably be expected
         to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

                          (d)     has duly qualified or has been duly licensed,
         and is authorized to do business and is in good standing, as a foreign
         corporation in each state except where the failure to be so qualified
         or licensed and authorized and in good standing, either individually
         or in the aggregate, would not have, and could not reasonably be
         expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

                 3.2      COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.

                 The Company:

                          (a)     is not in violation of any law, ordinance,
         governmental rule or regulation to which it is subject; and

                          (b)     has not failed to obtain any license,
         certificate, permit, franchise or other governmental authorization
         necessary to the ownership of its Property or to the conduct of its
         business;





                                      3
<PAGE>   4
         which violation or failure to obtain, either individually or in the
         aggregate, would have, or could reasonably be expected to have, a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                 3.3      LEGAL AND AUTHORIZED; OBLIGATIONS ARE ENFORCEABLE.
         
                          (a)     AUTHORIZATION.  The execution and delivery by
         the Company of this Agreement and the performance by the Company of
         its obligations hereunder are within the corporate powers of the
         Company and do not conflict with, result in any breach in any of the
         provisions of, constitute a default under, or result in the creation
         of any Lien upon any Property of the Company under the provisions of,
         any agreement, charter instrument, bylaw or other instrument to which
         it is a party or by which it or any of its Property may be bound.

                          (b)     OBLIGATIONS ARE LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE.  The
         execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement have been duly
         authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company, and
         this Agreement has been executed and delivered by one or more duly
         authorized officers of the Company.  This Agreement constitutes a
         legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
         against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that the
         enforceability thereof may be:

                                  (i)      limited by applicable bankruptcy,
                 reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or other
                 similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights
                 generally;

                                  (ii)     subject to the availability of
                 equitable remedies; and

                                  (iii)    with respect to indemnity and
                 contribution, limited by state or federal laws relating to
                 Securities or by the public policy underlying such laws.

                 3.4      NO DEFAULTS.

                          (a)     NO OTHER DEFAULTS.  No Defaults or Events of
         Default exist, other than the Noticed Events of Default.  No Senior
         Nonpayment Default exists that has not been waived and no Senior
         Nonpayment Default Notice has been issued by any holder of Senior
         Debt.

                          (b)     AMENDED FINANCING DOCUMENTS.  No event has
         occurred and no condition exists that, upon the execution, delivery
         and effectiveness of this Agreement would constitute a Default or an
         Event of Default other than in respect of the Noticed Events of
         Default.

                          (c)     CHARTER INSTRUMENT, OTHER AGREEMENTS.  The
         Company is not in violation in any respect of any term of any charter
         instrument or bylaw.  Except





                                      4
<PAGE>   5
         with respect to the failure of the Company to pay the promissory note
         payable to Lucent Technologies, Inc., the Company is not in violation
         in any material respect of any term in any agreement or other
         instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its
         Property may be bound, which would have, or could reasonably be
         expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

                 SECTION 4.      CONDITIONS.

                 The waiver by the Noteholders set forth in Section 1 and the
amendment described in Section 2 shall become effective on October 31, 1996 (the
"Effective Date"), subject to all of the following conditions having been
satisfied on or prior to such date:

                 4.1      EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT.

                 The Company and the Required Holders and all of the
Warrantholders (as such term is defined in the Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement)
shall have executed and delivered counterparts of this Agreement.

                 4.2      WAIVER BY HOLDERS OF SENIOR DEBT.

                 The Company and each holder of Senior Debt whose consent is
required therefor pursuant to the terms of the Senior Credit Documents shall
have executed and delivered waivers with respect to all defaults and all events
of default which exist under such Senior Credit Documents (including, without
limitation, each of such events that relate to each of the Noticed Events of
Default).  The Company shall have delivered to each Noteholder a copy of the
Limited Waiver entered into among the Company and the holders of Senior Debt,
in the form of the execution draft of the Limited Waiver previously delivered
to each Noteholder, together with a certification by a Senior Officer of the
Company stating that such copy is a true and correct copy and such Limited
Waiver cures or waives all defaults and all events of default which exist under
the Senior Credit Documents.

                 4.3      NO DEFAULT; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE.

                 After giving effect to Section 1 hereof, no Default or Event
of Default under the Note Purchase Agreement shall exist and the warranties and
representations set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct on the
Effective Date.

                 4.4      AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTIONS.

                 The Company shall have authorized, by all necessary corporate
action, its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of all transactions contemplated by this Agreement and evidence of
the same shall have been delivered to the Noteholders.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                 4.5      EXPENSES.

                 The Company shall have paid all costs and expenses of the
Noteholders relating to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any fees
and disbursements of their special counsel).

                 4.6      PROCEEDINGS SATISFACTORY.

                 All proceedings taken in connection with this Agreement shall
be satisfactory to the Noteholders and their special counsel.  The Noteholders
and their special counsel shall have received copies of such documents and
papers as they may reasonably request in connection therewith, in form and
substance satisfactory to them.

                 SECTION 5.       MISCELLANEOUS.

                 5.1      GOVERNING LAW.

                 THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED, INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, AND GOVERNED BY, INTERNAL NEW YORK LAW.

                 5.2      DUPLICATE ORIGINALS.

                 Two or more duplicate originals of this Agreement may be
signed by the parties, each of which shall be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and shall be effective when at least one
counterpart shall have been executed by each party hereto, and each set of
counterparts which, collectively, show execution by each party hereto shall
constitute one duplicate original.

                 5.3      EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

                 Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, no terms or
provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement have been modified or changed by this
Agreement and the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect.  Except as specifically provided in this
Agreement, no terms or provisions of the Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement have
been modified or changed by this Agreement and the terms and provisions of the
Existing 1996 Warrant Agreement, as amended hereby, shall continue in full
force and effect.  This Agreement and the waivers and amendments contained
herein shall have and be in effect on and after the Effective Date.

                 5.4      WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

                 Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed,
waived, discharged or terminated orally, or by any action or inaction, but only
by an instrument in





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.

                 5.5      SECTION HEADINGS.

                 The titles of the sections hereof appear as a matter of
convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not
affect the construction hereof.

                 5.6      COSTS AND EXPENSES.

                 On the Effective Date, the Company shall pay all costs and
expenses of the Noteholders related hereto, including, but not limited to, the
statement for fees and disbursements of the Noteholders' special counsel
presented to the Company on the Effective Date for matters in connection with
this Agreement.  The Company will also pay upon receipt of any statement
thereof, each additional statement for fees and disbursements of the
Noteholders' special counsel rendered after the Effective Date in connection
with this Agreement.  The obligations of the Company under this Section 5.6
shall survive the payment or prepayment of the Notes and the termination of the
Note Purchase Agreement.

                 5.7      SURVIVAL.

                 All warranties, representations, certifications and covenants
made by the Company hereunder, or in any certificate or other instrument
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be considered to have been relied
upon by the Noteholders and shall survive the execution of this Agreement
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Noteholders.  All
statements in any such certificate or other instrument shall constitute
warranties and representations of the Company hereunder.

     [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK.  NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE.]





                                      7
<PAGE>   8
                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed on their behalf by a duly authorized officer or agent
thereof, as the case may be, as of the date first above written.

                                           THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.


                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:


ACCEPTED:

THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


By:
   -------------------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


By:
   -------------------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:


NORTH ATLANTIC SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC


By:
   -------------------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

[Signature page to the WAIVER AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT among THE CERPLEX GROUP,
INC. and the Noteholders listed therein.]





                                       8
<PAGE>   9
                                   SCHEDULE A



Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 26, 1994.
Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 29, 1994.
Amendment Agreement dated as of October 27, 1994.
Waiver and Amendment Agreement dated as of April 15, 1996.





                                       9

<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.9

                            THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.
                        RESTATED 1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                   (RESTATED AND AMENDED AS OF JULY 16, 1996)


                                  ARTICLE ONE

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS


      I.         PURPOSES OF THE PLAN

                 A.       The Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is
intended to promote the interests of The Cerplex Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), by providing eligible individuals with the
opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest, or otherwise increase their
proprietary interest, in the Corporation as an incentive for them to remain in
the service of the Corporation (or its parent or subsidiary corporations).

     II.         STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN

                 A.       The Plan shall be divided into two separate equity
programs:

                                a.         the Discretionary Option Grant
         Program under which eligible persons may, at the discretion of the
         Plan Administrator, be granted options to purchase shares of Common
         Stock, and

                                b.         the Automatic Option Grant Program
         under which Eligible Directors shall automatically receive option
         grants at periodic intervals to purchase shares of Common Stock.

                 B.       The provisions of Articles One and Four shall apply
to both equity programs under the Plan and shall accordingly govern the
interests of all persons under the Plan.

    III.         DEFINITIONS

                 For purposes of the Plan, the following definitions shall be
in effect:

                 BOARD:  the Corporation's Board of Directors.

                 CHANGE IN CONTROL: a change in ownership or control of the
Corporation effected through either of the following transactions:





                                       1.
<PAGE>   2
                        a.        any person or related group of persons (other
         than the Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls,
         is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation)
         directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the
         meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing
         more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
         the Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or
         exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
         the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept; or

                        b.        there is a change in the composition of the
         Board over a period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such
         that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole
         number) ceases, by reason of one or more contested of individuals who
         either (A) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of
         such period or (B) have been elected or nominated for election as
         Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board
         members described in clause (A) who were still in office at the time
         such election or nomination was approved by the Board.

                 CODE:  the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                 COMMITTEE:  the committee of two (2) or more non-employee
Board members appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

                 COMMON STOCK:  shares of the Corporation's common stock.

                 CORPORATE TRANSACTION:  either of the following
stockholder-approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:

                        a.        a merger or consolidation in which securities
         possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting
         power of the Corporation's outstanding securities are transferred to a
         person or persons different from those who held those securities
         immediately prior to such transaction, or

                        b.        the sale, transfer or other disposition of
         all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets in complete
         liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.

                 EFFECTIVE DATE:  the first date on which the shares of the
Corporation's Common Stock were registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange
Act.





                                       2.
<PAGE>   3
                 ELIGIBLE DIRECTOR:  a non-employee Board member eligible to
participate in the Automatic Option Grant Program in accordance with the
eligibility provisions of Article One.

                 EMPLOYEE:  an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary, subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.

                 EXCHANGE ACT:  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time.

                 FAIR MARKET VALUE:  the fair market value per share of Common
Stock determined in accordance with the following provisions:

                    a.            If the Common Stock is not at the time listed
         or admitted to trading on any national stock exchange but is traded on
         the Nasdaq National Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing
         selling price per share on the date in question, as such price is
         reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on the
         Nasdaq National Market or any successor system.  If there is no
         reported closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date in
         question, then the closing selling price on the last preceding date
         for which such quotation exists shall be determinative of Fair Market
         Value.

                    b.            If the Common Stock is at the time listed or
         admitted to trading on any national stock exchange, then the Fair
         Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share on the date
         in question on the exchange determined by the Committee to be the
         primary market for the Common Stock, as such price is officially
         quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange.  If
         there is no reported sale of Common Stock on such exchange on the date
         in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
         price on the exchange on the last preceding date for which such
         quotation exists.

                 HOSTILE TAKE-OVER: a change in ownership of the Corporation
effected through the following transaction:

                    a.            any person or related group of persons (other
         than the Corporation or a person that directly or indirectly controls,
         is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Corporation)
         directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the
         meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing
         more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
         the Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or
         exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's





                                       3.
<PAGE>   4
         stockholders which the Board does not recommend such stockholders to
         accept, and

                    b.            more than fifty percent (50%) of the
         securities so acquired in such tender or exchange offer are accepted
         from holders other than the officers and directors of the Corporation
         subject to the short-swing profit restrictions of Section 16 of the
         Exchange Act.

                 INCENTIVE OPTION:  a stock option which satisfies the
requirements of Code Section 422.

                 NON-STATUTORY OPTION:  a stock option not intended to meet the
requirements of Code Section 422.

                 OPTIONEE:  any person to whom an option is granted under the
Plan.

                 PARENT:  any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each such
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the
time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.

                 PERMANENT DISABILITY OR PERMANENTLY DISABLED:  the inability
of the Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in
death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.

                 SERVICE: the provision of services to the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) by an individual in the capacity of an Employee, a
non-employee member of the board of directors or an independent consultant or
advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the applicable
stock option agreement.

                 SUBSIDIARY:  each corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each
such corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns,
at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.

                 TAKE-OVER PRICE: the greater of (a) the Fair Market Value per
share of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered to the Corporation
in connection with a Hostile Take-Over or (b) the highest reported price per
share of Common Stock paid by the tender offeror in effecting such Hostile
Take-Over.  However, if the surrendered option is an incentive stock option
under the Federal tax laws, the Take-Over Price shall not exceed the clause (a)
price per share.





                                       4.
<PAGE>   5
                 10% STOCKHOLDER: the owner of stock (as determined under Code
Section 424(d)) possessing ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation.

     IV.         ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

                 A.       The Discretionary Option Grant Program shall be
administered by the Committee.  No Board member shall be eligible to serve on
the Committee if such individual has, within the twelve (12)-month period
immediately preceding the date of his or her appointment to the Committee,
received an option grant or stock issuance under this Plan or any other stock
plan of the Corporation (or any parent or subsidiary corporation) other than
pursuant to the Automatic Grant Program under Article IV.  Members of the
Committee shall serve for such period of time as the Board may determine and
shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time.

                 B.       The Committee shall have full power and authority
(subject to the express provisions of the Plan) to establish such rules and
regulations as it may deem appropriate for the proper administration of the
Plan and to make such determinations and interpretations concerning the
Discretionary Option Grant Program and any outstanding option as it may deem
necessary or advisable.  The Committee shall have the authority to make option
grants under the Discretionary Option Grant Program to any and all eligible
individuals.  The Committee shall have complete discretion to determine the
number of shares to be covered by each such option, the time or times at which
such option is to become exercisable and the maximum term for which the option
is to remain outstanding.  Decisions of the Committee shall be final and
binding on all parties with an interest in any outstanding option under the
Discretionary Option Grant Program.

                 C.       Administration of the Automatic Option Grant Program
shall be self-executing in accordance with the terms of that program, and the
Committee shall exercise no discretionary functions with respect to option
grants made thereunder.

      V.         ELIGIBILITY FOR OPTION GRANTS

                 A.       The persons eligible to participate in the
Discretionary Option Grant Program shall be limited to the following:

                               (i)         officers and other Employees of the
         Corporation (or its parent or subsidiary corporations) who render
         services which contribute to the management, growth and financial
         success of the Corporation (or its parent or subsidiary corporations);

                              (ii)         non-employee members of the Board,
         other than those who are serving on the Committee; and





                                       5.
<PAGE>   6
                             (iii)         those consultants or independent
         contractors who provide valuable services to the Corporation (or its
         parent or subsidiary corporations).

                 B.       The individuals eligible to participate in the
Automatic Option Grant Program shall be (i) those individuals who are first
elected or appointed as non-employee Board members on or after the 1995 Annual
Stockholders Meeting, whether through appointment by the Board or election by
the Corporation's stockholders, and (ii) those individuals who are reelected to
serve as non-employee Board members after one or more Annual Stockholders
Meetings beginning with the 1995 Annual Meeting.  A non-employee Board member
who has previously been in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary) shall not be eligible to receive an option grant under the
Automatic Option Grant Program at the time he or she first becomes a
non-employee Board member, but such individual shall be eligible to receive
periodic option grants under the Automatic Option Grant Program upon his or her
reelection as a non-employee Board member at one or more Annual Stockholders
Meetings.

     VI.         STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

                 A.       Shares of the Common Stock shall be available for
issuance under the Plan and shall be drawn from either the Corporation's
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or from reacquired shares of
Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Corporation on the open
market.  The aggregate number of shares available for issuance under the Plan
from and after the Effective Date shall not exceed 2,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the
provisions of this Section VI.  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
for which any one participant on the Plan may be granted stock options or
separately exercisable stock appreciation rights in any calendar year shall not
exceed 500,000 shares.

                 B.       Should one or more outstanding options under this
Plan expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise in full (including
any option cancelled in accordance with the cancellation-regrant provisions of
Section IV of Article Two of the Plan), the shares subject to the portion of
the option not so exercised shall be available for subsequent option grant
under the Plan.  Shares subject to any option or portion thereof surrendered or
cancelled in accordance with Section V of Article Two and all shares issued
under the Plan, whether or not repurchased by the Corporation pursuant to its
repurchase rights under the Plan, shall not be available for subsequent option
grant under the Plan.  Should the exercise price of an outstanding option under
the Plan be paid with shares of Common Stock or should shares of Common Stock
otherwise issuable under the Plan be withheld by the Corporation in
satisfaction of the withholding taxes incurred in connection with the exercise
of an outstanding option under the Plan, then the number of shares available
for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for
which the option is exercised, and not by the net number of shares of Common
Stock issued to the option holder.





                                       6.
<PAGE>   7
                 C.       In the event any change is made to the Common Stock
issuable under the Plan by reason of any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change
affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without receipt of
consideration, then appropriate adjustments shall be made to (i) the maximum
number and/or class of shares issuable under the Plan, (ii) the maximum number
and/or class of shares for which any one participant may be granted stock
options or separately exercisable stock appreciation rights, (iii) the number
and/or class of securities for which automatic option grants are to be
subsequently made per Eligible Director under the Automatic Option Grant
Program and (iv) the number and/or class of shares and price per share in
effect under each outstanding option under the Plan.  Such adjustments to the
outstanding options shall preclude the enlargement or dilution of rights and
benefits under such options.  The adjustments determined by the Committee shall
be final, binding and conclusive.





                                       7.
<PAGE>   8
                                  ARTICLE TWO

                       DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM


        I.       TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

                 Options granted pursuant to this Article Two shall be
authorized by action of the Committee and may, at the Committee's discretion,
be either Incentive Options or Non-Statutory Options.  Individuals who are not
Employees may only be granted Non-Statutory Options.  Each option granted shall
be evidenced by one or more instruments in the form approved by the Committee.
Each such instrument shall, however, comply with the terms and conditions
specified below, and each instrument evidencing an Incentive Option shall, in
addition, be subject to the applicable provisions of Section II of this Article
Two.

                 A.       Option Price.

                          1.      The option price per share shall be fixed by
the Committee.  In no event, however, shall the option price per share of an
Incentive Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value per share of Common Stock on the date of the option grant, and in no
event shall the option price per share of a Non-Statutory Option be less than
eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
the date of the option grant.

                          2.      The option price shall become immediately due
upon exercise of the option and, subject to the provisions of Section VI of
this Article Two and the instrument evidencing the grant, shall be payable in
one of the following alternative forms:

                          -       cash or check made payable to the
         Corporation's order;

                          -       shares of Common Stock held by the optionee
         for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the
         Corporation's earnings for financial reporting purposes and valued at
         Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date (as such term is defined
         below); or

                          -       through a broker-dealer sale and remittance
         procedure pursuant to which the optionee shall provide irrevocable
         written instructions (I) to a Corporation-designated brokerage firm to
         effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to the
         Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement
         date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate option price payable for
         the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal and State income and
         employment taxes required to be withheld by the Corporation in
         connection with such purchase and (II) to the Corporation





                                       8.
<PAGE>   9
         to deliver the certificates for the purchased shares directly to such
         brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction.

                          For purposes of this Section I.A.2, the Exercise Date
shall be the date on which written notice of the option exercise is delivered
to the Corporation.  Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure is
used in connection with the exercise of the option, payment of the option price
for the purchased shares must accompany such notice.

                 B.       Term and Exercise of Options.

                          Each option granted under this Article Two shall be
exercisable at such time or times, during such period, and for such number of
shares as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the instrument
evidencing the option grant.  No such option, however, shall have a maximum
term in excess of ten (10) years from the grant date.  During the lifetime of
the optionee, the option shall be exercisable only by the optionee and shall
not be assignable or transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution following the optionee's death.

                 C.       Termination of Service.

                          1.      Except to the extent otherwise provided
pursuant to Section I.C.3 below, the following provisions shall govern the
exercise period applicable to any options held by the optionee at the time of
cessation of Service or death.

                        -         Should the optionee cease to remain in
         Service for any reason other than death or Permanent Disability, then
         the period during which each outstanding option held by such optionee
         is to remain exercisable shall be limited to the three (3)-month
         period following the date of such cessation of Service.

                        -         Should such Service terminate by reason of
         Permanent Disability, then the period during which each outstanding
         option held by the optionee is to remain exercisable shall be limited
         to the twelve (12)-month period following the date of such cessation
         of Service.

                        -         Should the optionee die while holding one or
         more outstanding options, then the period during which each such
         option is to remain exercisable shall be limited to the twelve
         (12)-month period following the date of the optionee's death.  During
         such limited period, the option may be exercised by the personal
         representative of the optionee's estate or by the person or persons to
         whom the option is transferred pursuant to the optionee's will or in
         accordance with the laws of descent and distribution.





                                       9.
<PAGE>   10
                        -         Under no circumstances, however, shall any
         such option be exercisable after the specified expiration date of the
         option term.

                        -         During the applicable post-Service exercise
         period, the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than
         the number of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on the
         date of the optionee's cessation of Service.  Upon the expiration of
         the applicable exercise period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of
         the option term, the option shall terminate and cease to be
         exercisable for any vested shares for which the option has not been
         exercised.  However, the option shall, immediately upon the optionee's
         cessation of Service, terminate and cease to be outstanding with
         respect to any option shares for which the option is not at that time
         exercisable or in which the optionee is not otherwise at that time
         vested.

                          2.      The Committee shall have discretion,
exercisable either at the time the option is granted or at any time while the
option remains outstanding, to permit one or more options held by the optionee
under this Article Two to be exercised, during the limited period of
exercisability provided under Section I.C.1 above, not only with respect to the
number of shares for which each such option is exercisable at the time of the
optionee's cessation of Service but also with respect to one or more subsequent
installments of purchasable shares for which the option would otherwise have
become exercisable had such cessation of Service not occurred.

                          3.      The Committee shall have discretion to extend
the period of time for which any option granted under this Article Two is to
remain exercisable following the optionee's cessation of Service or death from
the limited period in effect under Section I.C.1 of this Article Two to such
greater period of time as the Committee shall deem appropriate; provided,
however, that in no event shall such option be exercisable after the specified
expiration date of the option term.

                 D.       Stockholder Rights.

                          An optionee shall have no stockholder rights with
respect to any shares covered by the option until such individual shall have
exercised the option and paid the option price for the purchased shares.

                 E.       Repurchase Rights.  The shares of Common Stock
acquired upon the exercise of any option granted under this Plan may be subject
to repurchase by the Corporation in accordance with the following provisions:

                          a.      The Committee shall have the discretion to
         authorize the issuance of unvested shares of Common Stock under this
         Plan.  Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested
         shares, the Corporation shall have the right to repurchase any or all
         of those unvested shares at the





                                      10.
<PAGE>   11
         option price paid per share.  The terms and conditions upon which such
         repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and
         procedure for exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the
         purchased shares) shall be established by the Committee and set forth
         in the instrument evidencing such repurchase right.

                          b.      All of the Corporation's outstanding
         repurchase rights under this Plan shall automatically terminate, and
         all shares subject to such terminated rights shall immediately vest in
         full, upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction, except to the
         extent: (i) any such repurchase right is expressly assigned to the
         successor corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with the
         Corporate Transaction or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by
         other limitations imposed by the Committee at the time the repurchase
         right is issued.

                          c.      The Committee shall have discretion,
         exercisable either before or after the Optionee's cessation of
         Service, to cancel the Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights
         with respect to one or more shares purchased or purchasable by the
         Optionee under this Plan and thereby accelerate the vesting of such
         shares in whole or in part at any time.

         II.     INCENTIVE OPTIONS

                 The terms and conditions specified below shall be applicable
to all Incentive Options granted under this Article Two.  Incentive Options may
only be granted to individuals who are Employees.  Options which are
specifically designated as Non-Statutory Options when issued under the Plan
shall not be subject to such terms and conditions.

                 A.       Dollar Limitation.  The aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) of the Common Stock
for which one or more options granted to any Employee under this Plan (or any
other option plan of the Corporation or its parent or subsidiary corporations)
may for the first time become exercisable as incentive stock options under the
Federal tax laws during any one calendar year shall not exceed the sum of One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).  To the extent the Employee holds two or
more such options which become exercisable for the first time in the same
calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the exercisability of such options
as incentive stock options under the Federal tax laws shall be applied on the
basis of the order in which such options are granted.

                 B.       10% Stockholder.  If any individual to whom an
Incentive Option is granted is a 10% Stockholder, then the option price per
share shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the fair
market value per share of Common Stock on the grant date, and the option term
shall not exceed five (5) years measured from the grant date.





                                      11.
<PAGE>   12
                 Except as modified by the preceding provisions of this Section
II, the provisions of the Plan shall apply to all Incentive Options granted
hereunder.

     III.        CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL

                 A.       In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the
exercisability of each option outstanding under this Article Two shall
automatically accelerate so that each such option shall, immediately prior to
the specified effective date for the Corporate Transaction, become fully
exercisable with respect to the total number of shares of Common Stock at the
time subject to such option and may be exercised for all or any portion of such
shares.  However, an outstanding option under this Article Two shall not so
accelerate if and to the extent: (i) such option is, in connection with the
Corporate Transaction, either to be assumed by the successor corporation or
parent thereof or be replaced with a comparable option to purchase shares of
the capital stock of the successor corporation or parent thereof or (ii) the
acceleration of such option is subject to other limitations imposed by the
Committee at the time of grant.  The determination of comparability under
clause (i) above shall be made by the Committee, and its determination shall be
final, binding and conclusive.

                 B.       Immediately following the consummation of the
Corporate Transaction, all outstanding options under this Article Two shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the
successor corporation or its parent company.

                 C.       The Committee shall have the discretionary authority,
exercisable either at the time the option is granted or at any time while the
option remains outstanding, to provide for the automatic acceleration of one or
more outstanding options under this Article Two upon the occurrence of a
Corporate Transaction, whether or not those options are to be assumed or
replaced in the Corporate Transaction, or alternatively to provide for the
subsequent acceleration of any outstanding options under this Article Two which
do not otherwise accelerate at the time of the Corporate Transaction, should
the Optionee's Service terminate within a designated period following the
effective date of such Corporate Transaction.  The Committee shall also have
the authority to provide for the immediate termination of any of the
Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights under this Article Two which do not
otherwise terminate at the time of the Corporate Transaction, upon the
subsequent termination of the Optionee's Service within a designated period
following the effective date of such Corporate Transaction.

                 D.       Each outstanding option under this Article Two which
is assumed in connection with the Corporate Transaction or is otherwise to
continue in effect shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such
Corporate Transaction, to apply and pertain to the number and class of
securities which would have been issuable, in consummation of such Corporate
Transaction, to an actual holder of the same number of shares of Common Stock
as are subject to such option immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the option price payable per
share, provided





                                      12.
<PAGE>   13
the aggregate option price payable for such securities shall remain the same.
In addition, the class and number of securities available for issuance under
the Plan following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction shall be
appropriately adjusted.

                 D.       The Committee shall have the discretionary authority,
exercisable either in advance of any actually-anticipated Change in Control or
at the time of an actual Change in Control, to provide for the automatic
acceleration of one or more outstanding options under this Article Two (and the
immediate termination of the Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights under
this Article Two) upon the occurrence of the Change in Control.  The Committee
shall also have full power and authority to condition any such option
acceleration (and the termination of outstanding repurchase rights) upon the
subsequent termination of the optionee's Service within a specified period
following the Change in Control.  Any options accelerated in connection with
the Change in Control shall remain fully exercisable until the expiration or
sooner termination of the option term.

                 E.       Any options accelerated in connection with the Change
in Control shall remain fully exercisable until the expiration or sooner
termination of the option term.

                 F.       The grant of options under this Article Two shall in
no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or
otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate,
dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or
assets.

                 G.       The exercisability as incentive stock options under
the Federal tax laws of any options accelerated under this Section III in
connection with a Corporate Transaction or Change in Control shall remain
subject to the dollar limitation of Section II.

       IV.       CANCELLATION AND REGRANT OF OPTIONS

                 The Committee shall have the authority to effect, at any time
and from time to time, with the consent of the affected optionees, the
cancellation of any or all outstanding options under this Article Two and to
grant in substitution new options under the Plan covering the same or different
numbers of shares of Common Stock but with an option price per share not less
than (i) Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the new grant date in the
case of an Incentive Option (ii) eighty-five percent (85%) of such Fair Market
Value in the case of a Non-Statutory Option, or (iii) one hundred ten percent
(110%) of such Fair Market Value in the case of an Incentive Option granted to
a 10% Stockholder.

       V.        STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

                 A.       Provided and only if the Committee determines in its
discretion to implement the stock appreciation right provisions of this Section
V, one or more optionees may be granted the right, exercisable upon such terms
and conditions as the Committee may establish, to surrender all or part of an
unexercised option under this Article Two in





                                      13.
<PAGE>   14
exchange for a distribution from the Corporation in an amount equal to the
excess of (i) the Fair Market Value (on the option surrender date) of the
number of shares in which the optionee is at the time vested under the
surrendered option (or surrendered portion thereof) over (ii) the aggregate
option price payable for such vested shares.

                 B.       No surrender of an option shall be effective
hereunder unless it is approved by the Committee.  If the surrender is so
approved, then the distribution to which the optionee shall accordingly become
entitled under this Section V may be made in shares of Common Stock valued at
Fair Market Value on the option surrender date, in cash, or partly in shares
and partly in cash, as the Committee shall in its sole discretion deem
appropriate.

                 C.       If the surrender of an option is rejected by the
Committee, then the optionee shall retain whatever rights the optionee had
under the surrendered option (or surrendered portion thereof) on the option
surrender date and may exercise such rights at any time prior to the later of
(i) five (5) business days after the receipt of the rejection notice or (ii)
the last day on which the option is otherwise exercisable in accordance with
the terms of the instrument evidencing such option, but in no event may such
rights be exercised more than ten (10) years after the date of the option
grant.

                 D.       One or more officers of the Corporation subject to
the short-swing profit restrictions of the Federal securities laws may be
granted limited stock appreciation rights in tandem with their outstanding
options under this Article Two.  Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over,
each outstanding option with such a limited stock appreciation right in effect
for at least six (6) months shall automatically be cancelled and the optionee
shall in return be entitled to a cash distribution from the Corporation in an
amount equal to the excess of (i) the Take-Over Price of the shares of Common
Stock at the time subject to the cancelled option (whether or not the option is
otherwise at the time exercisable for such shares) over (ii) the aggregate
option price payable for such shares.  The cash distribution payable upon such
cancellation shall be made within five (5) days following the consummation of
the Hostile Take-Over.  Neither the approval of the Committee nor the consent
of the Board shall be required in connection with such option cancellation and
cash distribution.

                 E.       No stock appreciation right granted under this
Section V shall be assignable or transferable by the optionee and shall be
exercisable only by the optionee.  The shares of Common Stock subject to any
option surrendered or cancelled for an appreciation distribution pursuant to
this Section V shall NOT be available for subsequent option grant under the
Plan.

       VI.       LOANS OR INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS

                 The Committee may assist any optionee (including any officer)
in the exercise of one or more outstanding options under this Article Two,
including the satisfaction of any





                                      14.
<PAGE>   15
Federal and State income and employment tax obligations arising therefrom, by
(a) authorizing the extension of a loan to such optionee from the Corporation
or (b) permitting the optionee to pay the option price for the purchased Common
Stock in installments over a period of years.  The terms of any loan or
installment method of payment (including the interest rate and terms of
repayment) will be established by the Committee in its sole discretion.  Loans
and installment payments may be granted with or without security or collateral,
but the maximum credit available to the optionee shall not exceed the sum of
(i) the aggregate option price (less par value) of the purchased shares plus
(ii) any federal and state income and employment tax liability incurred by the
optionee in connection with the exercise of the option.





                                      15.
<PAGE>   16
                                 ARTICLE THREE

                         AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
                         ------------------------------

       I.        OPTION TERMS

                 A.       GRANT DATES.  Option grants shall be made on the
dates specified below:

                          1.      Each Eligible Director who is first elected
or appointed as a non-employee Board member on or after the 1995 Annual
Stockholders Meeting shall automatically be granted, on the date of such
initial election or appointment, a Non-Statutory Option to purchase 20,000
shares of Common Stock.

                          2.      On the date of each Annual Stockholders
Meeting, beginning with the 1995 Annual Meeting, each individual who is
reelected to serve as an Eligible Director after such meeting, shall
automatically be granted a Non-Statutory Option to purchase 10,000 shares of
Common Stock, provided such individual has served as a non-employee Board
member for at least six (6) months prior to the date of such Annual Meeting.
There shall be no limit on the number of such 10,000-share option grants any
one Eligible Director may receive over his or her period of Board service.

                 B.       EXERCISE PRICE.

                          1.      The exercise price per share shall be equal
to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common
Stock on the option grant date.

                          2.      The exercise price shall be payable in one or
more of the alternative forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant
Program.  Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure specified
thereunder is utilized, payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares
must accompany the written notice of exercise delivered to the Corporation.

                 C.       OPTION TERM.  Each option shall have a term of ten
(10) years measured from the option grant date.

                 D.       EXERCISE AND VESTING OF OPTIONS.  Each option shall
be immediately exercisable for any or all of the option shares.  However, any
shares purchased under the option shall be subject to repurchase by the
Corporation, at the exercise price paid per share, upon the Optionee's
cessation of Board service prior to vesting in those shares.  Each grant shall
vest, and the Corporation's repurchase right shall lapse, in a series of
forty-eight





                                      16.
<PAGE>   17
(48) equal and successive monthly installments over the Optionee's period of
continued service as a Board member, with the first such installment to vest
upon the Optionee's completion of one (1) month of Board service measured from
the option grant date.

                 E.       EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF BOARD SERVICE.  The
following provisions shall govern the exercise of any options held by the
Optionee at the time the Optionee ceases to serve as a Board member:

                          (i)     The Optionee (or, in the event of Optionee's
         death, the personal representative of the Optionee's estate or the
         person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to the
         Optionee's will or in accordance with the laws of descent and
         distribution) shall have a twelve (12)-month period following the date
         of such cessation of Board service in which to exercise each such
         option.

                          (ii)    During the twelve (12)-month exercise period,
         the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the
         number of vested shares of Common Stock for which the option is
         exercisable at the time of the Optionee's cessation of Board service.

                          (iii)   In no event shall the option remain
         exercisable after the expiration of the option term.  Upon the
         expiration of the twelve (12)-month exercise period or (if earlier)
         upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall terminate and
         cease to be outstanding for any vested shares for which the option has
         not been exercised.  However, the option shall, immediately upon the
         Optionee's cessation of Board service, terminate and cease to be
         outstanding to the extent it is not exercisable for vested shares on
         the date of such cessation of Board service.

     II.         CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER

                 A.       In the event of any Corporate Transaction, the shares
of Common Stock at the time subject to each outstanding option but not
otherwise vested shall automatically vest in full so that each such option
shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction,
become fully exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time
subject to such option and may be exercised for all or any portion of such
shares as fully-vested shares of Common Stock.  Immediately following the
consummation of the Corporate Transaction, each automatic option grant shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the
successor corporation (or parent thereof).

                 B.       In connection with any Change in Control, the shares
of Common Stock at the time subject to each outstanding option but not
otherwise vested shall automatically vest in full so that each such option
shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the





                                      17.
<PAGE>   18
Change in Control, become fully exercisable for all of the shares of Common
Stock at the time subject to such option and may be exercised for all or any
portion of such shares as fully-vested shares of Common Stock.  Each such
option shall remain exercisable for such fully-vested option shares until the
expiration or sooner termination of the option term or the surrender of the
option in connection with a Hostile Take-Over.

                 C.       Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the
Optionee shall have a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the
Corporation each automatic option held by him or her for a period of at least
six (6) months.  The Optionee shall in return be entitled to a cash
distribution from the Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the
Take-Over Price of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to the
surrendered option (whether or not the Optionee is otherwise at the time vested
in those shares) over (ii) the aggregate exercise price payable for such
shares.  Such cash distribution shall be paid within five (5) days following
the surrender of the option to the Corporation.  No approval or consent of the
Board shall be required in connection with such option surrender and cash
distribution.

                 D.       The grant of options under the Automatic Option Grant
Program shall in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust,
reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part
of its business or assets.

     III.        AMENDMENT OF THE AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM

                 The provisions of this Automatic Option Grant Program,
together with the option grants outstanding thereunder, may not be amended at
intervals more frequently than once every six (6) months, other than to the
extent necessary to comply with applicable Federal income tax laws and
regulations.

     IV.         REMAINING TERMS

                 The remaining terms of each option granted under the Automatic
Option Grant Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for option grants
made under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.





                                      18.
<PAGE>   19
                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                                 MISCELLANEOUS


     I.          AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

                 The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and
authority to amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects whatsoever.
However, (i) no such amendment or modification shall, without the consent of
the holders, adversely affect rights and obligations with respect to options at
the time outstanding under the Plan and (ii) any amendment made to the
Automatic Option Grant Program (or any options outstanding thereunder) shall be
in compliance with the limitations of that program.  In addition, the Board
shall not, without the approval of the Corporation's stockholders, (i)
materially increase the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan,
except for permissible adjustments under Section VI.C of Article One, (ii)
materially modify the eligibility requirements for the grant of options under
the Plan or (iii) otherwise materially increase the benefits accruing to
participants under the Plan.

     II.         TAX WITHHOLDING

                 A.       The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares or
cash upon the exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights granted
under the Discretionary Option Grant Program shall be subject to the
satisfaction of all applicable Federal, State and local income and employment
tax withholding requirements.

                 B.       The Committee may, in its discretion and upon such
terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate (including the applicable
safe-harbor provisions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) provide any or all
holders of outstanding option grants under Article Two with the election to
have the Corporation withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise
issuable upon the exercise of such options, a portion of such shares with an
aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the designated percentage (any multiple of
5% specified by the optionee) of the Federal, State and local income and
employment taxes ("Taxes") incurred in connection with the acquisition of such
shares.  In lieu of such direct withholding, one or more optionees may also be
granted the right to deliver shares of Common Stock to the Corporation in
satisfaction of such Taxes.  The withheld or delivered shares shall be valued
at the Fair Market Value on the applicable determination date for such Taxes.





                                      19.
<PAGE>   20
     III.        EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN

                 1.       The Plan was adopted as an amendment and restatement
of the 1993 Stock Option Plan originally adopted as of December 17, 1993 and
became effective on   the Effective Date.

                 A.       On January 13, 1995, the Board adopted an amendment
to the Plan to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder by 500,000
shares to 1,000,000 shares and to implement the Automatic Option Grant Program,
subject to stockholder approval at the 1995 Annual Stockholders Meeting.  The
Company's stockholders approved such amendment at the 1995 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders held on May 18, 1995.

                 B.       On October 2, 1995, the Board adopted an amendment to
the Plan to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock for which any
one individual may be granted stock options or separately exercisable stock
appreciation rights in any calendar year from 300,000 to 500,000.  In addition,
on December 4, 1995 the Board adopted an amendment to the Plan to increase the
number of shares issuable thereunder by 500,000 shares to 1,500,000 shares and
on July 16, 1996 the Board adopted an additional amendment to further increase
the number of shares issuable thereunder by an additional 500,000 shares to
2,000,000 shares.  No options granted on the basis of such 1,000,000-share
increase or the 200,000-share increase shall become exercisable in whole or in
part unless and until such stockholder approval is obtained.  If such
stockholder approval is not obtained, then any unexercised options granted on
the basis of such increases shall terminate and cease to be outstanding.

                 C.       The provisions of each restatement of, and amendment
to, the Plan shall apply only to options granted under the Plan from and after
the effective date of such restatement or amendment.  All options issued and
outstanding under the Plan immediately prior to the adoption of each
restatement or amendment shall continue to be governed by the terms and
conditions of the Plan (and the instrument evidencing each such option) as in
effect on the date each such option was previously granted, and nothing in a
subsequent restatement or amendment shall be deemed to affect or otherwise
modify the rights or obligations of the holders of such options with respect to
the acquisition of shares of Common Stock thereunder.

                 D.       The Plan shall terminate upon the earliest of (i) the
expiration of the ten (10) year period measured from the date the Plan was
originally adopted by the Board, (ii) the date on which all shares available
for issuance under the Plan have been issued pursuant to the exercise of
outstanding options and stock appreciation rights, or (iii) the termination of
all outstanding options in connection with a Corporate Transaction.  If the
date of termination is determined under clause (i) above, then no options
outstanding on such date shall be affected by the termination of the Plan, and
such securities shall thereafter continue to have force and effect in
accordance with the provisions of the instruments evidencing such options.





                                      20.
<PAGE>   21
                 E.       Options may be granted under this Plan to purchase
shares of Common Stock in excess of the number of shares then available for
issuance under the Plan, provided each option granted is not to become
exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to stockholder approval of
an amendment authorizing a sufficient increase in the number of shares issuable
under the Plan.

     IV.         USE OF PROCEEDS

                 Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of
shares pursuant to options granted under the Plan shall be used for general
corporate purposes.

     V.          REGULATORY APPROVALS

                 A.       The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any
option hereunder, and the issuance of stock upon the exercise or surrender of
any such option shall be subject to the procurement by the Corporation of all
approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
over the Plan, the options granted under it and the stock issued pursuant to
it.

                 B.       No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be
issued or delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been
compliance with all applicable requirements of Federal and state securities
laws, including the filing and effectiveness of a Form S-8 registration
statement for the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all
applicable listing requirements of any securities exchange on which stock of
the same class is then listed.

     VI.         NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS

                 Neither the action of the Corporation in establishing the
Plan, nor any action taken by the Committee hereunder, nor any provision of the
Plan shall be construed so as to grant any individual the right to remain in
the employ or service of the Corporation (or any parent or subsidiary
corporation) for any period of specific duration, and the Corporation (or any
parent or subsidiary corporation retaining the services of such individual) may
terminate such individual's employment or service at any time and for any
reason, with or without cause.

     VII.        MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

                 A.       Except as otherwise expressly authorized under the
Plan, the right to acquire Common Stock or other assets under the Plan may not
be assigned, encumbered or otherwise transferred by any optionee.





                                      21.
<PAGE>   22
                 B.       The provisions of the Plan governing the vesting and
exercise of options and shares issued under the Plan shall be governed by the
laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to contracts entered
into and performed in such State.

                 C.       The provisions of the Plan shall inure to the benefit
of, and be binding upon, the Corporation and its successors or assigns, whether
by Corporate Transaction or otherwise, and the optionees, the legal
representatives of their respective estates, their respective heirs or legatees
and their permitted assignees.





                                      22.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.30


                                 LIMITED WAIVER


                 THIS LIMITED WAIVER (this "Waiver") is dated as of October 31,
1996, and entered into by and among THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Company"), THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE
PAGES HEREOF ("Lenders") and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
administrative agent for Lenders ("Administrative Agent"), and, for purposes of
Section 8 hereof, CERTECH Technology, Inc., Cerplex Mass., Inc., Cerplex
Limited, Apex Computer Company, Cerplex Subsidiary, Inc., Peripheral Computer
Support, Inc. ("PCS"), Modcomp/Cerplex L.P., Modcomp Joint Venture, Inc.,
Modular Computer Services, Inc., Modular Computer Systems GmbH and Modcomp
France S.A.  (collectively, "Guarantors") and is made with reference to that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 12, 1994, as amended by First
Amendment to Credit Agreement and Limited Waiver dated as of April 15, 1996
(the "First Amendment"), by and among Company, Lenders and Administrative Agent
(as so amended, the "Credit Agreement").  Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have the same meanings herein as set forth in the Credit
Agreement.


                                   RECITALS:

                 WHEREAS, Company has requested Lenders to waive certain
provisions of the Credit Agreement through November 30, 1996;

                 WHEREAS, on the terms and conditions set forth below, Lenders
have agreed to waive compliance with such provisions of the Credit Agreement;

                 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree
as follows:

                 SECTION 1.       WAIVER.

                 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in
reliance on the representations and warranties of Company herein contained,
Lenders hereby waive compliance with the provisions of:

                          (a)     subsection 6.11 of the Credit Agreement with
         respect to the real property leases and subleases of Company and its
         Subsidiaries entered into or acquired by Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries after October 14, 1994 for the period from and including
         August 31, 1996 to and including November 30, 1996; provided, however,
         Company shall not be required to obtain landlord waivers with respect
         to (i) property located in Canada, France, Germany or the United
         Kingdom if, in the opinion of counsel to Administrative Agent,
         it is not customary in such countries to obtain such waivers,
         and (ii) property, other than property that constitutes the
         principal place of business of Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries, that is (A) located





                                       1
<PAGE>   2
         in a state the laws of which do not create a statutory lien in favor
         of a landlord on the personal property of a tenant and (B) subject to
         a lease that does not create a contractual lien in favor of the
         landlord on the personal property of the tenant;

                          (b)     subsections 7.6A, 7.6B and 7.6C of the Credit
         Agreement for the period from and including September 30, 1996 to and
         including November 30, 1996;

                          (c)     subsection 7.6D of the Credit Agreement for
         the period from and including July 1, 1996 to and including November
         30, 1996;

                          (d)     subsection 8.2(i) of the Credit Agreement
         with respect to the failure of Company to pay the promissory note
         payable to Lucent Technology, Inc. for the period from and including
         September 15, 1996 to and including November 30, 1996;

                          (e)     subsection 8.2(ii) of the Credit Agreement
         with respect to the failure of Company to comply with Sections 6.3 and
         6.4 of the Note Purchase Agreement for the period from and including
         September 30, 1996 to and including November 30, 1996;

                          (f)     subsection 8.3 of the Credit Agreement with
         respect to the failure of Company to comply with subsections 7.6A,
         7.6B and 7.6C of the Credit Agreement for the period from and
         including September 30, 1996 to and including November 30, 1996;

                          (g)     subsection 8.3 of the Credit Agreement with
         respect to the failure of Company to comply with subsection 7.6D of
         the Credit Agreement for the period from and including July 1, 1996 to
         and including November 30, 1996;

                          (h)     subsection 8.5 of the Credit Agreement with
         respect to the failure of Company to comply with subsection 6.11 of
         the Credit Agreement for the period from and including August 31, 1996
         to and including November 30, 1996;

                          (i)     subsection 8.13 of the Credit Agreement for
         the period from and including September 30, 1996 to and including
         November 30, 1996; and

                          (j)     subsection 2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement
         with respect to the $350,000 received in respect of the assets sold to
         Ascent Logic Corporation for the period from and including the date of
         receipt of such proceeds to and including November 30, 1996 provided
         that such proceeds are held in trust by Company for Lenders.





                                       2
<PAGE>   3
                 SECTION 2.       LIMITATION OF WAIVER.

                 Without limiting the generality of the provisions of
subsection 10.6 of the Credit Agreement, the waiver set forth above shall be
limited precisely as written and relates solely to the noncompliance by Company
with the provisions of subsections 2.4B(iii), 6.11, 7.6, 8.2(i), 8.2(ii), 8.3,
8.5 and 8.13 of the Credit Agreement in the manner and to the extent described
above.  Nothing in this Waiver shall be deemed to:

                          (a)     constitute a waiver of compliance by Company
         with respect to (i) subsections 2.4B(iii), 6.11, 7.6, 8.2(i), 8.2(ii),
         8.3, 8.5 or 8.13 of the Credit Agreement in any other instance or (ii)
         any other term, provision or condition of the Credit Agreement or any
         other instrument or agreement referred to therein; or

                          (b)     prejudice any right or remedy that
         Administrative Agent or any Lender may now have (except to the extent
         such right or remedy was based upon existing defaults that will not
         exist after giving effect to this Waiver) or may have in the future
         under or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other
         instrument or agreement referred to therein.

                 Except as expressly set forth herein, the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
remain in full force and effect and in all other respects are hereby ratified
and confirmed.

                 SECTION 3.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                 In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Waiver, Company
hereby represents and warrants that after giving effect to this Waiver:

                          (a)     as of the date hereof, there exists no Event
         of Default or Potential Event of Default under the Credit Agreement;

                          (b)     except with respect to the matters disclosed
         to Lenders prior to the date hereof, all representations and
         warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents are true, correct and complete in all material respects on
         and as of the date hereof except to the extent such representations
         and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case
         they were true, correct and complete in all material respects on and
         as of such earlier date; and

                          (c)     as of the date hereof, Company has performed
         all agreements to be performed on its part as set forth in the Credit
         Agreement.
                 
                 SECTION 4.       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS.

                 Sections 1(c) and 1(g) of this Waiver shall become effective as
of July 1, 1996, Sections 1(a) and 1(h) of this Waiver shall become effective as
of August 31, 1996, Section 1(d) of this Waiver shall become effective as of
September 15, 1996 and Sections 1(b), 1(e),





                                       3

<PAGE>   4
1(f), 1(i) and 1(j) of this Waiver shall become effective as of September 30,
1996 only upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions precedent:

                          (a)     Company shall deliver to Lenders (or to
         Administrative Agent for Lenders with sufficient originally executed
         copies, where appropriate, for each Lender and its counsel) the
         following:

                                  (i)      counterparts of this Waiver executed
                 by Company and the Credit Support Parties (other than Modular
                 Computer Systems GmbH and Modcomp France S.A., which
                 counterparts may be delivered as soon as practicable after the
                 date hereof); and

                                  (ii)     signature and incumbency
                 certificates of the officers of Company executing this Waiver.

                          (b)     Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent
         a waiver, in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders, of Sections
         6.3 and 6.4 of the Note Purchase Agreement duly executed by the
         parties to the Note Purchase Agreement required to execute such
         waiver.

                 SECTION 5.       COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS
                 
                 This Waiver may be executed in any number of counterparts and
by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.  This Waiver (other than the provisions of Section 1 hereof, the
effectiveness of which is governed by Section 4 hereof) shall become effective
upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by Company, Requisite Lenders and
each of the Credit Support Parties and receipt by Company and Administrative
Agent of written or telephonic confirmation of such execution and authorization
of delivery thereof.

                 SECTION 6.       WARRANTS

                 Company and Lenders hereby agree that the Purchase Price (as
defined in that certain Warrant Agreement dated as of April 15, 1996 among
Company and Lenders) is reduced to $2.50 per share of the Common Stock, $0.001
par value per share, of Company, effective as of the date of execution of this
Waiver, and that Company shall deliver to Lenders an addendum to the existing
warrants or a replacement warrant evidencing such change as soon as practicable
after the execution of this Waiver.





                                       4
<PAGE>   5
                 SECTION 7.       GOVERNING LAW.

                 THIS WAIVER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES.

                 SECTION 8.       ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT BY GUARANTORS
                 
                 Company is a party to the Company Collateral Documents
pursuant to which Company has created Liens in favor of Administrative Agent on
certain Collateral to secure the Obligations.  Guarantors are a party to the
Guaranty and the Subsidiary Collateral Documents pursuant to which each
Guarantor has (i) guarantied the Obligations and (ii) created Liens in favor of
Administrative Agent on certain Collateral to secure the obligations of such
Guarantor under the Guaranty.  Company and Guarantors are collectively referred
to herein as the "Credit Support Parties," and the Guaranty, the Company
Collateral Documents and the Subsidiary Collateral Documents are collectively
referred to herein as the "Credit Support Documents."

                 Each Credit Support Party hereby acknowledges that it has
reviewed the terms and provisions of this Waiver.  Each Credit Support Party
hereby confirms that each Credit Support Document to which it is a party or
otherwise bound and all Collateral encumbered thereby will continue to guaranty
or secure, as the case may be, to the fullest extent possible the payment and
performance of all "Obligations," "Guaranteed Obligations" and "Secured
Obligations," as the case may be (in each case as such terms are defined in the
applicable Credit Support Document), including, without limitation, the payment
and performance of all such "Obligations," "Guaranteed Obligations" or "Secured
Obligations," as the case may be, in respect of the Obligations of Company now
or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Credit Agreement and the Notes
defined therein.

                 Each Credit Support Party acknowledges and agrees that any of
the Credit Support Documents to which it is a party or otherwise bound shall
continue in full force and effect and that all of its obligations thereunder
shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be impaired or limited by the
execution or effectiveness of this Waiver.  Each Credit Support Party represents
and warrants that all representations and warranties contained in the Credit
Agreement and the Credit Support Documents to which it is a party or otherwise
bound are true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as of the
date hereof to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except to
the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier
date, in which case they were true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of such earlier date.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                 SECTION 9.     FEES AND EXPENSES.

                 Company acknowledges and agrees that all costs, fees and
expenses as described in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement incurred by
Administrative Agent and its counsel with respect to this Waiver and the
documents and transactions contemplated hereby shall be for the account of the
Company.





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Waiver
to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first above written.

                                  COMPANY:

                                  THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                                  LENDERS:

                                  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                  individually and as Administrative Agent


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                                  SUMITOMO BANK OF CALIFORNIA COMPANY



                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:





                                       7
<PAGE>   8
                                  BHF BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
                                  (FORMERLY BERLINER HANDELS-UND
                                  FRANKFURTER BANK)


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:



                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:



                                  COMERICA BANK CALIFORNIA
                                  individually and as Administrative Agent


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  GUARANTORS:

                                  CERTECH TECHNOLOGY, INC.


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  CERPLEX MASS., INC.



                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:





                                       8
<PAGE>   9
                                  CERPLEX LIMITED


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  APEX COMPUTER COMPANY


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  CERPLEX SUBSIDIARY, INC.


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  PERIPHERAL COMPUTER SUPPORT, INC.


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  MODCOMP/CERPLEX, L.P.
                                  By:  Cerplex Subsidiary, Inc., as general 
                                       partner


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  MODCOMP JOINT VENTURE, INC.


                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:





                                       9
<PAGE>   10
                                  MODULAR COMPUTER SERVICES, INC.



                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  MODULAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS GMBH



                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                                  MODCOMP FRANCE S.A.



                                  By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:





                                       10

<PAGE>   1
Exhibit 11.1
                            THE CERPLEX GROUP, INC.

                  EXHIBIT TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                   COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                     (in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three months ended                 Nine months ended
                                                       ------------------                 -----------------
                                                  September 29,      October 1,      September 29,     October 1,
                                                  -------------      ----------      -------------     ----------
                                                       1996             1995             1996             1995
                                                     --------         --------         --------         --------
<S>                                                 <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>   

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND
COMMON SHARES EQUIVALENT SHARES
OUTSTANDING
     Average common stock outstanding                  13,422           13,108           13,332           13,081
     Dilutive Convertible Preferred
      Stock options and warrants - based
      on the treasury stock method using
      the average price(1)
                                                     --------         --------         --------         --------
            Total                                      13,422           13,108           13,332           13,081
                                                     ========         ========         ========         ========

COMPOSITION OF NET INCOME

     Income (loss) from continuing operations        $(12,940)        $ (9,433)        $(13,811)        $ (8,473)
     Income from discontinued operations                               (15,564)                          (15,412)
                                                     --------         --------         --------         --------
     Net Income                                      $(12,940)        $(24,997)        $(13,811)        $(23,885)
                                                     ========         ========         ========         ========

PER SHARE DATA

     Continuing operations                           $  (0.96)        $  (0.72)        $  (1.04)        $  (0.65)
     Discontinued operations                                             (1.19)                            (1.18)
                                                     --------         --------         --------         --------
     Net income per share                            $  (0.96)        $  (1.91)        $  (1.04)        $  (1.83)
                                                     ========         ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>


        (1) Stock options and warrants were not assumed to be converted under
        the treasury stock method for the three and nine month periods ended
        September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995, because their effect would be
        anti-dilutive.


                                       39

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                          26,521
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,301
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,674
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                80,024
<PP&E>                                          28,390
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 117,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           96,125
<BONDS>                                              0
                               13
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,859
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   117,900
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               142,821
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  121,170
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,980
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (12,478)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,333
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (13,811)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (13,811)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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